Max Verstappen was thoroughly disappointed with his qualifying performance this afternoon, the Dutchman securing a place in Q3 along with his team mate but ending the session in 10th position, although he will move up to 9th as a result of Sainz incurring a penalty and starting from the pit lane.

The Toro Rosso junior's day got off to a rocky start when he damaged his rear wing after hitting the barriers on the exit of the final corner in the morning's free practice session, although he insisted the mishap had no bearing on his afternoon performance, pointing instead to excessively low tyre temperatures.

"Normally we are quite good in cool conditions," Verstappen said. " I don’t know what happened. For everybody it was quite hard to bring up the fronts, but in Q3 for me it was the front and rear because I nearly spun at turn six. The tyres were not working, and when the tyre aren't working, what can you do ?"

Verstappen, who had never raced at Monaco before this weekend, has acquitted himself well overall, but felt fairly despondent about a performance he was hoping would be much better.

"After one or two laps, the rears drop off quite a lot. You really have to make it work on your second lap. These things happen, the whole weekend has been great and you want to perform in Q3 but we had problems. Hopefully we can have a clean first lap and we can have a good race."

Click here for a look at the technical updates brought by all the teams at the start of the European season

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

8 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

10 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago