Max Verstappen will participate in the Monaco GP this coming weekend. In the past, the Dutchman has been critical of ‘the crown jewel’, partly due to the limited overtaking opportunities on the narrow street circuit. Nevertheless, he is delighted to call himself a resident of the principality. The advantages of living in Monaco are numerous; the fact that a Grand Prix takes place once a year is, according to Verstappen, merely a bonus.
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Asked about his feelings regarding the Monaco GP, Verstappen explained that he primarily sees the race as a home game. “Monaco is simply my home,” said Verstappen during the official FIA press conference. “That outweighs the race. The Grand Prix is actually just a bonus. I feel safe here, the people are nice, and it’s a beautiful place to raise your children. During the Grand Prix, it might be a bit hectic, but it remains special.”
First memories
His first memories of Monaco are less rosy. The 28-year-old driver doesn’t clearly recall his father Jos Verstappen once speeding through the streets. His first real encounter with Monaco came during the 2015 Grand Prix, when he crashed on the straight in his debut season. After a touch with Romain Grosjean, the young Dutchman slammed hard into the guardrail. “That’s perhaps not the nicest first memory,” he joked.
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Regarding the upcoming race weekend: “Realistically, it’s important here to be fast over the bumps and the kerbstones.” Not something Red Bull excels at, Verstappen admitted. “We’ll see how the car develops during the sessions. Ultimately, we just want to improve our package on all fronts: grip, power, brake balance, and tire wear.” Does he expect more spectacle on Sunday now that the cars have become a fraction lighter and narrower? “Perhaps,” Verstappen replied soberly. “The cars are a bit more agile, but on the other hand, the drivability is not as good as in previous years. We’ll see. Qualifying will still be the highlight of the weekend, so we’ll do our best there no matter what.”
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