Max Verstappen is targeting a “positive weekend without issues” at the “hectic” Monaco Grand Prix.
The reigning Formula 1 champion took the lead in the Drivers’ standings for the first time this season with his fourth win of the year in Spain last weekend after former leader Charles Leclerc retired.
Up next, is the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ on the streets of Monte Carlo and Verstappenis as excited as anyone to get started.
“Monaco is always a hectic but special weekend,” he explained.
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“Qualifying is critical, the track is very old school and narrow, your heart rate goes so high, it’s insane!
“We have to constantly be on the edge, it’s a pretty crazy track with Formula 1 cars.
“My Monaco history was not so good but I finally won there last year and there was a massive relief once I crossed the line, I was very happy to win that race.”
While Verstappen is currently on a hot streak, niggly problems have continued to impact Red Bull, including a faulty DRS during the race in Barcelona.
“We just have to nail down a really positive weekend without issues,” he stated.
The depiction of #GivesYouWiiings ? pic.twitter.com/QxQLAW9bIw
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 25, 2022
“I think, of course, Imola we had that, but it’s still a bit of a hit and miss too much. So we just have to make sure we are more reliable and more on top of things.
“But as you can see, the car is quick. I’m very happy about that. I mean, if you would be slow and reliable, that’s probably also not a good thing.”
Despite Ferrari’s strong start, Red Bull is now asserting itself as the team to beat in 2022, something team boss Christian Horner is very proud of and perhaps didn’t expect.
“Having put so much effort into last year’s car, to then come on to these new regulations, we elected to take a risk because we had an opportunity to win last year and you have to go for it,” he told CNN.
You wait six seasons for a 1-2 and two come along in three races ?? #SpanishGP ?? pic.twitter.com/2R5K1ieID2
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 22, 2022
“That put huge pressure on the team, going into the second half of last year, that we had to play catch-up. Personally, I didn’t expect us to start this year as competitively as we have.
“To be on the front row at the first race, to win the second race, to win and get a one-two in Imola and win in Miami has been an unbelievable start for us, and I think testimony to all the team for doing such a phenomenal job in such a short space of time.”