Max Verstappen’s Monaco Grand Prix ended before it even began, retiring on the opening lap due to a catastrophic engine failure during the formation lap. Starting second on the grid, Verstappen’s Red Bull barely moved as the lights went out, fortunately avoiding a multi-car collision as the field swerved around his stricken car. He managed to limp the car back to the pitlane, his frustration palpable over team radio, exclaiming the engine was “broken” and “completely f***ed.”
The issue became apparent during the formation lap, with Verstappen reporting power loss and an awful engine sound. Despite standard pre-start instructions, including selecting Mode 4 and Strat 3, the engine died completely as he dropped the clutch for the start. This rare DNF for Verstappen means a significant hit to his championship lead and a clear warning shot for Red Bull, highlighting a reliability crack in a season where they've mostly dominated.
Read the full story at The Race
