MONACO, June 7 – Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s participation in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix came to an abrupt end after completing just one lap due to engine troubles that left the four-time world champion stranded.
Following an impressive Saturday qualifying performance that earned him a front-row starting position next to Mercedes’ pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, Verstappen’s race day took a dramatic turn when his vehicle failed to move as the starting lights went out.
Though the Dutch driver eventually managed to get his car moving, he was forced to crawl around the track at reduced speed before his crew instructed him to return to the pit area.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the disappointing exit, Verstappen explained the mechanical issues: “The formation lap wasn’t going very well, after that the pre-start was terrible, there was no consistency and then the engine just dropped dead.”
“I only got a little bit of power back after the first corner. Engine sounded really awful, couldn’t go full throttle so we brought it back,” he added.
The early retirement adds to what has been a challenging campaign for Verstappen, who has been critical of the sport’s current hybrid power unit rules and has previously suggested he might consider leaving Formula One.
