Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is gearing up for the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend and is welcoming the surge in form from McLaren as they add to the competitive field in the sport. Verstappen narrowly held off Lando Norris at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in the previous race, a significant change from his dominant performances with Red Bull last season. He acknowledges the importance of being at their best with the increased competition and the need to push harder to maintain their position at the top.
Despite taking pole position at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen faced tough competition from McLaren with Oscar Piastri and Norris securing the second and third spots on the grid. Norris has been on a hot streak with three consecutive podium finishes, including a win in Miami, giving fans hope for a more exciting championship battle. Verstappen commends Norris for talking up his title chances, highlighting McLaren’s resurgence as a positive development for the sport.
While Lewis Hamilton was previously considered Verstappen’s main rival, he is pleased to see McLaren performing well as it brings back memories of his time with the team. Hamilton acknowledges the strong performances from Norris and Piastri and hopes that Mercedes can close the gap to Red Bull in the coming races. Despite McLaren’s recent progress, the points gap in the championship remains significant, with Verstappen leading by a considerable margin.
Verstappen remains confident in Red Bull’s potential, noting the ongoing investment in improving the engine performance. He acknowledges the close competition in qualifying among McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari but maintains his belief in the strength of his team. Leclerc, currently second in the standings, is cautious about jumping to conclusions regarding Red Bull’s vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of qualifying in Monaco’s challenging track layout.
Verstappen has been dominant in qualifying this season, taking every pole position for Red Bull and setting a new record for consecutive poles. However, he remains cautious about his chances in Monaco due to the circuit’s unique characteristics and challenges. Red Bull is adapting their setup with a maximum downforce rear wing to navigate the narrow and demanding street course, aiming to maximize their performance and stay competitive against strong challengers like Ferrari and McLaren. Monaco is known for being one of the most challenging tracks on the F1 calendar, and Verstappen is preparing for a tough battle to maintain his pole position streak and secure another victory.
