The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will go down in history, not only because of the spectacular race on the iconic street circuit, but also because of Max Verstappen’s striking statements afterwards. The reigning world champion, who is engaged in a fierce battle with McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri this season, surprised friend and foe with his sharp words after a disappointing fourth place in Monte Carlo. His comments mainly focused on McLaren’s dominance and the challenges that Red Bull currently faces. These statements have not only caught the attention of the fans, but also the team bosses of both Red Bull and McLaren have reacted, further increasing the tension in Formula 1.

The race in Monaco, which took place on May 25, 2025, was a triumph for McLaren. Lando Norris took pole position and won the race, while his teammate Oscar Piastri finished a solid third. Verstappen, who started from fourth place after a difficult qualifying, could not keep up with the pace of the McLarens. After the race, he expressed his frustration to Sky Sports: “You can’t race here. It doesn’t matter if you do one pit stop or ten, overtaking is almost impossible. We didn’t have the speed to fight with the guys at the front.” These words were not only a reflection of his disappointment with the result, but also an indirect criticism of current Formula 1 cars, which he believes are too big and heavy for street circuits like Monaco.

Verstappen’s comments didn’t come out of the blue. Red Bull has struggled to keep up with McLaren’s dominant form this season. McLaren has won five of the eight races in 2025, with Norris and Piastri forming a strong duo. In Imola, the race before Monaco, Verstappen managed to win with a brilliant overtake on Piastri on the first lap, but in Monaco it became painfully clear that Red Bull still has a weakness in the slow corners and on bumpy surfaces. Verstappen specifically pointed to the problems in the second sector of the circuit, where the RB21 struggled with mechanical grip and driving over kerbs. “We know that’s our weakness,” he said after qualifying. “It’s not a surprise, but it is frustrating.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner’s reaction was notably muted. He acknowledged McLaren’s superiority in Monaco but stressed that Red Bull was working hard to find solutions. “Max is honest about where we are,” said Horner. “Monaco is a unique circuit and we knew it was going to be tough. But we have updates in the pipeline that will hopefully make us more competitive at other circuits.” Horner also pointed to the recent upgrades that paid off at Imola, with changes to the rear suspension and engine cover improving tyre performance. However, he admitted that Monaco is a circuit where the driver makes the difference and that Verstappen, despite his talent, simply didn’t have the car to challenge for victory.

The mood at McLaren was naturally jubilant. Team principal Andrea Stella praised Norris for a “phenomenal” qualifying lap and insisted that the team was not considering team orders to favour Piastri, despite his championship lead. “We give both drivers an equal chance,” said Stella. “But Max’s words show how strong we are at the moment. It’s a compliment that even he recognises our speed.” Stella also pointed to the changes McLaren had made for Monaco, such as a revised rear wing and improved front suspension, which were perfectly suited to the demands of the circuit.

Verstappen’s statement has further fuelled the rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren. While Norris now trails Piastri by just three points in the championship standings, with Verstappen trailing by 22 points, the title battle is far from over. The next race in Barcelona, ​​with its mix of fast and slow corners, will be crucial to see whether Red Bull can close the gap to McLaren. Verstappen himself remains combative: “We still have a lot of races to go, and I never give up.” His words after Monaco have not only heightened the tension in the paddock, but also the expectations for a thrilling continuation of the season.