Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen erupted over team radio during a chaotic Free Practice 2 (FP2) at the Monaco Grand Prix, branding an impeding incident involving Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto as “unacceptable.” The Dutchman’s frustration highlighted simmering tensions over driver etiquette at the narrow street circuit, where split-second decisions can spell disaster.
The session, topped by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, underscored the perils of Monaco’s tight confines, with Lewis Hamilton also narrowly avoiding a collision earlier in the day.
Max Verstappen’s radio rage
Verstappen’s anger erupted at the high-speed Swimming Pool section, where he encountered Yuki Tsunoda and Bortoleto moving slowly on the racing line. Over team radio, the three-time champion vented:
“** mate! Unbelievable, these guys! So dangerous!”* Moments later, he added: “I know it’s only practice, but for me that’s unacceptable, that kind of impeding. It’s so dangerous in that Swimming Pool.”
The incident disrupted Verstappen’s flying lap, leaving him 10th in FP2. The Swimming Pool complex, a rapid sequence of chicanes, demands precision, making slow-moving cars a critical hazard. Max Verstappen’s outburst reflects growing scrutiny over impeding during practice sessions, where drivers balance setup work with spatial awareness.
Lewis Hamilton’s near-miss adds to Monaco mayhem
FP1 set the tone for a fraught day when Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. Gasly, dawdling near the racing line, forced Hamilton to swerve abruptly at high speed. The Mercedes driver fumed: “Those guys were going slow there!”
Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok condemned Gasly’s positioning: “It’s literally one of the worst places… unacceptable to dawdle close to the racing line.” Jenson Button, 2009 champion, echoed this: “I would’ve been way angrier… It’s one of the highest speeds on the track.”
Expert Outcry: “Unacceptable” driving standards
Chandhok and Button’s critiques amplified concerns over Monaco’s unique challenges. Chandhok stressed:
“Unacceptable to me, to be dawdling close to the racing line in that spot.” Button highlighted the split-second reflexes required: “You saw the car in front turning in, then saw Lewis coming and turned out.”
These incidents spotlight the delicate balance drivers face: managing lap times while avoiding bottlenecks on a circuit with minimal runoff areas. With overtaking nearly impossible in Monaco, clean practice laps are crucial for qualifying setup—a factor exacerbating tensions.
Safety vs. Strategy: Monaco’s eternal dilemma
Monaco’s glamour belies its risks. The circuit’s narrow streets and blind corners demand hyper-awareness, especially during practice. Max Verstappen’s frustration and Hamilton’s near-miss underscore the FIA’s ongoing battle to enforce impeding rules without stifling teams’ preparation.
Key Takeaways:
Verstappen’s Focus: The Red Bull star, still chasing his first Monaco win, needs clean sessions to dial in his RB20.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Pressure: The Japanese driver, fighting for his F1 future, faces scrutiny over situational awareness.
Race Implications: Grid penalties for impeding could shake up Sunday’s starting order, adding strategic intrigue.
As the Monaco GP weekend unfolds, Max Verstappen’s fiery remarks and Hamilton’s close call serve as stark reminders of the circuit’s unforgiving nature. With qualifying poised to decide the race winner, drivers must walk a tightrope between aggression and caution. For Verstappen, mastering Monaco’s chaos isn’t just about speed—it’s about surviving the storm.