P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Once a Red Bull stronghold in its otherwise-fallow early days of F1’s hybrid era, Monaco is unfriendly to its newer cars – because of a fundamental limitation.
In the Monaco Grand Prix of 2024, Max Verstappen failed to secure pole position, a deviation from the usual dominance of Red Bull Racing. He faced tough competition from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes, with his teammate Sergio Perez starting in P18. Verstappen’s chances were hindered by a slight brush with the wall during his final qualifying run. The unique challenges of Monaco’s bumpy circuit exposed longstanding issues with Red Bull’s car setup. Despite efforts to adjust the car’s settings, Verstappen struggled with handling and suspension, likening it to driving a go-kart. The team’s design philosophy, aimed at maximizing ground effect aerodynamics, may be contributing to the car’s difficulties over bumps.
