Red Bull bracing for a Monaco reality check after Imola high

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After Max Verstappen’s clinical dismantling of the field at Imola, it might be tempting to assume Red Bull Racing is back in cruise control.

But Helmut Marko has issued a stark warning ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix: don’t get too comfortable. What looked dominant in Italy might unravel on the tight, twisting streets of Monte Carlo.

Verstappen’s win last weekend was a much-needed response to recent pressure from McLaren and Ferrari. But behind the scenes, Red Bull knows the RB21 still has its flaws — and the Principality could expose them.

‘Things Could Look Very Different’

Marko was clear-eyed about what made the difference in Imola, but he also didn’t waste time tempering expectations for Monaco.

“The car is now doing what Max wants again,” explained Red Bull’s advisor. “That’s down to the updates, which have thankfully worked.

“That was just Imola, things could look very different again at the next Grand Prix.”

Unlike the flowing curves of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Monaco’s layout is dominated by tight, low-speed corners — a known weakness for Red Bull’s current package.

Marko made the risk clear: “Things could be a lot worse there” for Verstappen.

He’s not just talking hypotheticals either. Red Bull struggled in the Principality last season, with Verstappen finishing a muted sixth, more than 13 seconds behind hometown hero Charles Leclerc.

A year on, for a team that typically aims for nothing less than the top step, that’s still a red flag.

Verstappen Shares the Concern

The reigning World Champion, fresh off his second win of the season, isn’t blind to the challenge ahead either.

“Monaco is, of course, very, very different [from Imola]. So, let’s see how we are going to perform there,” Verstappen said after his dominant display.

“Last year was very difficult for us. I don’t expect it to be a lot easier this time around because there’s, of course, a lot of low speed, but we’ll see.”

Read also: Villeneuve slams McLaren’s ‘weak’ approach to fighting Verstappen

The Dutchman added, however, a dose of pragmatism.

“I mean, it’s just one race on the calendar, where you try to do the best you can.

“Even after that, there’s a lot of races left, but, of course, you can clearly see that once we go to high-speed tracks and corners, then we are more competitive.”

In other words, Red Bull is prepared for turbulence and a few ups and downs – and it may come sooner than fans expect.

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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.