Verstappen Knows Where Monaco GP Could Be Won or Lost: Qualifying Will Be Key

Max Verstappen arrives in Monaco carrying momentum from his first podium of the season in Montreal, where he outdueled Lewis Hamilton in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle. The four-time world champion endured a rocky start to 2026, but recent upgrades to the RB22 have brought Red Bull closer to the front – even if a win still eludes them, with Mercedes drivers sweeping the top step so far.

Why it matters:

Monaco is a track where track position often trumps outright pace, and Verstappen knows the difference between pole and second on the grid can be the difference between victory and defeat. With Red Bull closing the gap, a strong Saturday could finally put him in contention for his first win of the year – and reshuffle the early-season pecking order.

The details:

• Verstappen credited the progress made in Miami for improving his comfort level in the RB22: "We made some positive steps forward in Miami and the pace is a lot closer to where we need to be. I felt like we were able to extract a better performance from the car and I felt more comfortable."
• He emphasized the unique demands of the Principality: "Monaco is always reliant on good strategy and, as always here, it will be key to get the best result in Qualifying."
• The Dutchman also noted the benefit of a short break before the double-header, allowing him to recharge with family ahead of a hectic weekend both on and off track.

Between the lines:

Former driver Pedro De la Rosa, speaking exclusively to GPblog, cautioned against ever counting Verstappen out – even if the car isn't the class of the field. "Even if his car is not good enough, today could be wet, you know, the race, and then we're talking about how great Max Verstappen and Red Bull are. He's definitely someone that you can never take out of the equation until the flag drops."

What's next:

Qualifying on Saturday will be the decisive moment. If Verstappen can put the RB22 on the front row, he'll have a genuine shot at ending Mercedes' winning streak. With De la Rosa predicting the competitive order will keep shifting circuit to circuit, Monaco could be Red Bull's best chance yet to strike back.

A wet race, as De la Rosa hinted, could turn the entire grid upside down – and that's when Verstappen is at his most dangerous.