Verstappen says Red Bull learned its lesson after Canada set-up disagreement

Max Verstappen says Red Bull has taken stock of the set-up dispute that spilled into public view after qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix, telling Dutch media in Monte Carlo that the episode has been analysed and a lesson learned ahead of upcoming race weekends.

Verstappen had raised eyebrows in Montreal by openly stating that the team had not followed his feedback, and that he had deliberately gone along with their preferred direction to prove it would not work. “I’ve pointed it out so many times already, but sometimes you just have to let them feel for themselves that it doesn’t work,” he said at the time.

Team principal Laurent Mekies subsequently framed such exchanges as part of Red Bull’s internal culture, describing them as necessary for the team’s development. Verstappen echoed that view ahead of Monaco, while making clear the Montreal direction was a step backwards. “I just think that the direction in Montreal wasn’t progress at all. But it was analysed properly and I think it became quite clear. Hopefully it’s just a lesson learned for the coming races, to make sure we head in the right direction.”

Verstappen also acknowledged that his public comments served a secondary purpose beyond venting frustration. “I always try to keep everyone sharp anyway. I simply wasn’t happy during that qualifying session because things weren’t working well. And that’s why I gave my honest opinion.”

He was careful to stress that the Canada incident was an exception rather than a pattern. “They usually listen very well to what I have to say. It was just one of those moments where I had to be very clear that this wasn’t the right direction.”

Looking ahead to Monaco, Verstappen is tempering expectations. The RB22 continues to struggle over bumps and kerbs — an issue he had already flagged in Montreal by joking he would need to “order a new back” for the street circuit — and he is not counting on a second consecutive podium finish in the principality.

Red Bull’s engine partner Ford has expressed hope of securing a race victory this season following the team’s recent podium, but Verstappen is sceptical given the current competitive order. “Quite a lot of things still need to happen for us to get a win,” he said. “You can say it, but you have to stick” — his comments cutting off before a fuller conclusion.