Verstappen given 'brutal' Monaco lesson

Verstappen given 'brutal' Monaco lesson

Joas van Wingerden

Saturday 26 May 2018 16:40

Max Verstappen was given a "brutal" reminder of the Monaco Grand Prix's pitfalls after a crash in FP3 left him starting the race from last place. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner cut a frustrated figure, with their cars to bookend the field from the line, with Daniel Ricciardo on pole.

Red Bull have been the team to beat all weekend, with Ricciardo topping the timesheets in every practice and qualifying session so far.

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However, Verstappen is counting the cost of yet another error. He has either spun or made contact with another driver at every race so far this year.

A mammoth effort to get Verstappen's car out for Q1 fell short, leaving Horner to ruminate on another mishap for the Dutchman.

Horner told Sky Sports: "Max's car was fired up and then we saw an oil leak in the gearbox which had been hidden and that was it.

"They did their best to get the gearbox replaced, which would have been a five-place penalty, but I have to say both car crews did everything that they could to make it happen.

"Today unfortunately it wasn't to be.

"This place bites hard if you abuse it. Max is a very fast driver, we know that, and this weekend he has a great car. Nobody will be more frustrated than him.

"He should have been competing for the front row today. There is no more brutal lesson than what he has just had."