Verstappen arrives in Monaco with eyes wide open: "We're not that great on the bumps"

Cautious Optimism, No False Promises

Red Bull has arrived in Monaco with measured expectations and a clear-eyed assessment of the RB22's limitations. Max Verstappen, a four-time World Champion and two-time winner on the streets of the Principality, was characteristically direct when pressed on the team's chances heading into the weekend.

"Let's see. I mean, I don't know. It will depend on a lot of things. I don't know how the car is going to feel, so… Monaco can always give you some surprises."

"But realistically from my side, we've been OK in the low speed, but at the same time here you need to be good on the bumps and the kerbs, which is where we're not that great. So, yeah, we'll have to see how it will evolve throughout the weekend."

A Car Still in Need of Progress

Beyond Monaco, Verstappen painted a broader picture of a car that requires improvement across almost every performance dimension. His assessment was blunt and wide-ranging.

"You want to improve in every area. We want more grip, you want more power, you want better braking efficiency, you want the tyres to operate in a better window. So, in that sense, you want to be better everywhere."

The Canadian Grand Prix served as his most recent reference point. Montreal exposed both the RB22's straight-line deficiencies and its continued struggle with ride quality — a dual weakness that Verstappen did not attempt to downplay.

"But yeah, I think looking at Montreal, we're definitely lacking on the straight. But also, yeah, in the corners, I think, yeah, the ride or in general on the bumps, we were not, let's say, the best. And, of course, high-speed corners in other places. Now, of course, here there are no high-speed corners, but normally has not been our biggest strength yet."

On the technical front, Red Bull have brought a radical rear wing package to Monte Carlo — part of a wider development push to extract maximum downforce from the 2026 regulations. You can read more about Red Bull and Mercedes' Monaco rear wing concepts here.

The 2026 Cars and Monaco's Unique Demands

With the new-generation 2026 machinery making its debut appearance in Monaco, Verstappen was asked whether the latest regulations might make this year's cars better suited to the Principality than their predecessors.

His answer was, once again, nuanced.

"Maybe. I just think you will see a little bit better now with the wheels. It's probably a little bit more agile in the low speed, but at the same time that comes together with driveability, which with these cars I feel like took a step back compared to last year's car. So, we'll see."

For a team that celebrated its very first Formula 1 podium at Monaco exactly 20 years ago, the Principality carries historical weight. But Verstappen — whose future at Red Bull beyond 2028 also remains an open question — is not interested in nostalgia. His focus is squarely on understanding a car that, for now, still has more questions than answers.