Max Verstappen stated he was fortunate to avoid a major collision following what he characterized as “dangerous” impeding incidents during the Monaco Grand Prix practice sessions.
The Red Bull driver was among numerous competitors who voiced complaints on team radio during Friday`s practice, reporting close calls due to slower cars blocking their fast, timed laps.
During the second practice session, Verstappen narrowly avoided Sauber`s Gabriel Bortoleto, who was trailing Yuki Tsunoda`s Red Bull, near the quick Swimming Pool chicane. Verstappen reacted on team radio, exclaiming, “Unbelievable these guys! So dangerous. I know it`s only practice, but for me that`s unacceptable that kind of impeding.”
In a post-session interview, Verstappen reiterated, “Monaco is inherently challenging with traffic, but today presented two rather dangerous instances – one in FP1 and another in FP2 – which is far from ideal. While it`s just practice, it could easily have led to a significant crash if one doesn`t react quickly or anticipate the situation, but fortunately, all went well.”
While congestion on Monaco`s tight 2.01-mile street circuit is a constant challenge when all vehicles are running simultaneously, the problem seemed exceptionally prevalent on Friday.
George Russell of Mercedes commented, “It`s always intense here in Monaco; the track simply isn`t wide enough for 20 F1 cars. As our friend Yuki (Tsunoda) puts it, it was truly a `traffic paradise` out there.”
Jenson Button, the 2009 Monaco victor and a Sky Sports F1 commentator, observed, “I don`t recall it ever being this severe. It has certainly worsened since my racing days.”
Earlier, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari also experienced two close calls with other cars during Practice One.
Hamilton`s first incident occurred when he had to take last-minute evasive action at the Massenet corner, having approached an Alpine at a significantly higher speed.
Subsequently, while rapidly closing in on Mercedes` Kimi Antonelli exiting the quick Swimming Pool chicane, Hamilton clipped the inside barrier and then rode heavily over the exit kerb.
Monaco Grand Prix Schedule: Key Sessions and Times
Saturday, May 24
- 9:40 AM: F3 Sprint
- 11:15 AM: Monaco GP Practice Three (session starts at 11:30 AM)
- 1:10 PM: F2 Sprint
- 2:10 PM: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
- 3:00 PM: MONACO GP QUALIFYING
- 5:00 PM: Ted`s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday, May 25
- 6:55 AM: F3 Feature Race
- 8:35 AM: F2 Feature Race
- 12:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday: Monaco GP build-up*
- 2:00 PM: The MONACO GRAND PRIX*
- 4:00 PM: Chequered Flag: Monaco GP reaction
- 5:00 PM: Ted`s Notebook
- 5:30 PM: The Indy 500
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
