Monaco strategy slip still hard to swallow for Verstappen

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A sense of frustration still lingers inside Max Verstappen almost two weeks after a strategy error cost the teenager a spot on the Monaco podium.

The Dutchman was fuming after his day of work in the Principality, unhappy with Red Bull's call to pit Verstappen while he was fourth in an attempt to undercut third-placed man Valtteri Bottas.

In the end, Verstappen not only failed to overtake the Finn, he also lost out to team mate Daniel Ricciardo as he trailed both men to the checkered flag.

"I'm obviously still not happy about it to be honest," Verstappen said yesterday in Montreal.

"You can't change the situation so I didn't really think about racing too much after the Monaco Grand Prix. I enjoyed time with my friends and family and here we are again we just try to do a better job.

"For me it's very difficult to see that because I don't know what's happening behind me, I don't know who's stopping. I'm just following the instructions.

"But to be honest I said to myself I don't want to think about it anymore. It's done now. I don't really want to talk about it too much."

Verstappen is bracing himself for a difficult weekend in Canada, admitting that Montreal's power hungry layout is unlikely to benefit Red Bull Racing's RB13 despite its improvement.

"It's not fantastic this track, I think Monaco was better for us but we've got some good things on the car, again hopefully some updates, so hopefully that will help us forward with the car," Verstappen said.

"But of course we're still lacking speed on the straights but that's how it is for me the whole season, we cannot change that and we just try to be there when it matters and hopefully something's happened in the front, you never know."

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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.