Verstappen reflects on ‘painful’ Monaco DNF

Max Verstappen's Monaco Grand Prix ended prematurely after a mechanical failure on the starting grid, forcing him to retire on the first lap. Starting from P2 behind Kimi Antonelli, Verstappen felt his Red Bull had the potential for a podium finish, making the zero-point result particularly difficult to accept after a strong weekend. Verstappen explained that the engine began acting strangely during the pre-start, failing to maintain the RPM target and stalling upon releasing the clutch. Despite managing to crawl through the first lap using battery power, he was instructed to retire the car to prevent further damage. This incident marks his second DNF of the season.