F1 2024
Verstappen Describes ‘Worst Possible Outcome’ for Red Bull as He Sees ‘No Solution’ to Monaco Struggles
Max Verstappen has expressed deep concerns over Red Bull Racing's performance at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.
The Dutch driver, who has dominated the season so far, described the team's struggles on the iconic street circuit as the "worst possible outcome" and admitted that there is no clear solution to their handling woes.
The Monaco Grand Prix, often referred to as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the F1 calendar, is renowned for its challenging layout, featuring tight corners, narrow streets, and significant elevation changes. These characteristics have historically made overtaking difficult and placed a premium on qualifying performance. However, for Red Bull, the unique demands of the Monaco circuit have exposed inherent weaknesses in their car's design.
During the first two practice sessions on Friday, Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez faced significant difficulties. Verstappen, who finished 11th in Free Practice 1 (FP1) and improved to fourth in Free Practice 2 (FP2), reported severe handling issues. He likened the car's behavior to a "kangaroo," citing its inability to cope with the track's numerous bumps, kerbs, and camber changes. Perez, meanwhile, struggled to find a competitive pace, finishing 12th in FP1 and eighth in FP2.
Verstappen's frustration was palpable as he spoke to the media after the sessions. "I can't even describe what's happening," he said. "It's just very difficult. It's not something I didn't anticipate, but it's definitely at the extreme end of the worst-case scenario for the weekend so far."
The Red Bull RB20's design, which has been highly successful on other circuits, appears ill-suited to the unique demands of Monaco. Verstappen explained that the issues they are facing cannot be resolved with simple setup changes. "These issues are not something that can be addressed with setup. It's how the car is designed, and these things cannot be changed overnight. We'll try to make it a little more manageable but don't expect any miracles," he stated.
The team's struggles are compounded by the impressive performance of their rivals. Ferrari, in particular, has shown strong pace, with Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets in FP2. Verstappen acknowledged the challenge posed by Ferrari, saying, "Ferrari is far ahead. I'm not even considering them for tomorrow; I just want to focus on resolving our issues and making the car more drivable."
Perez echoed his teammate's sentiments, describing the RB20 as "unforgiving" to handle. He highlighted the significant performance gap between Red Bull and their competitors, particularly Ferrari. "It's going to be a tough weekend," Perez admitted. "Our limitations are quite significant, and the ride is a major concern. We'll see what we can come up with tonight."
The Red Bull team is no stranger to overcoming adversity, having faced and resolved various challenges in previous races. However, the issues at Monaco appear to be more deeply rooted. Verstappen drew a comparison to their struggles at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where setup adjustments allowed them to recover and secure a win. "Imola was an entirely different situation, with distinct issues that could be resolved through setup adjustments. These problems are inherent to the car's design, and they cannot be fixed quickly," he explained.
As the team prepares for the crucial qualifying session on Saturday, the focus will be on finding any possible improvements to make the car more manageable. However, both drivers remain realistic about their prospects. "We are stuck with it. We will try, but I don’t expect miracles," Verstappen said.
The Monaco Grand Prix has always been a race where anything can happen, with the tight and twisty circuit often leading to unexpected outcomes. Despite the current challenges, Red Bull will be hoping to maximize their performance and capitalize on any opportunities that arise during the race.
For now, Verstappen and Perez will need to dig deep and rely on their skill and experience to navigate one of the most challenging weekends of the season. As the F1 world watches closely, the question remains whether Red Bull can turn their fortunes around and maintain their championship momentum in the face of adversity.