Verstappen was left "really happy with my performance" in Monte Carlo qualifying
Red Bull produced one of their most competitive qualifying showings of the 2026 season in Monaco, with Max Verstappen narrowly missing out on pole by just 0.001 seconds and Isack Hadjar delivering a composed and impressive run to secure fifth on the grid.
After a solid but unspectacular FP3, where Verstappen finished fifth, the Dutchman came alive when it mattered most. His first Q3 lap put him within a thousandth of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s provisional pole time, and moments later he briefly snatched P1 before the Mercedes driver edged back ahead. Hadjar, meanwhile, overcame a shaky start to qualifying to maximise the pace of the RB22.
Verstappen was visibly satisfied — and slightly surprised — by Red Bull’s leap in performance: “I am really happy with my performance, if you had told me yesterday that we would be on the front row, I would have definitely taken it!”
He admitted the team had been wrestling with the car earlier in the day: “It was a bit of a surprise as this morning I think we had a few difficulties with the car, so ending up on the front row I think was extremely positive.”
The Dutchman also highlighted how different the current generation of cars feels around Monaco.
“The cars are a bit more on edge than the last few years. When the power kicks in, as well as drivability and shifts, it’s all a bit different. When you get a clean lap and can go flat out on the limit, it feels great and very rewarding.”
With Monaco qualifying often defining the weekend, Verstappen was pleased to have delivered when it counted.
“This is the most important session of the weekend and I am happy to be where we are. I’m very happy with how all the laps went, even though you have to deal with all the traffic and the walls.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, he knows the start will be crucial: “Tomorrow, it is critical to get the start right, it can get a bit complicated and I have two cars behind me that start quite well, so let’s see. A lot can happen so it’s all to play for.”
Isack Hadjar continued his impressive first campaign with a calm, methodical approach to a notoriously difficult qualifying session.
“I’m definitely satisfied with that result. After yesterday, there was a lot to do, both with the car and with my confidence, but I just took it step by step with each lap.”
The Frenchman admitted Q1 was messy, but the team and driver made strong progress as the session unfolded: “We struggled a little in Q1 with traffic and the tyres, but made a big step in Q2 and another in Q3.”
Hadjar praised the RB22’s performance around the Principality: “The car was fast around here, and we knew the track was going to suit us, so I just wish I’d had a smoother lead‑up to today.”
Despite that, he was pleased with the final outcome: “I’m still happy with fifth; hopefully the pack will be tight tomorrow and we can make some overtakes with a strong strategy.”
