Verstappen Braces for Monaco Challenge as Rivals Close In

Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, anticipates a challenging Monaco Grand Prix weekend as his rivals intensify their pursuit of his title defense. The Dutchman, who has won three of the season's opening seven races, acknowledges the threat posed by Ferrari and McLaren.

"It's one of the more difficult tracks for us," said Verstappen. "Ferrari has always been very strong here, and McLaren has ramped up their performance lately."

Verstappen's concerns stem from the Monaco circuit's unique characteristics. The narrow, winding streets and high kerbs pose a challenge for Red Bull's car, which struggles over bumps. Last year's Singapore Grand Prix, another street circuit with high kerbs, was the only event where Red Bull failed to secure a podium finish.

"Our car normally struggles a bit over bumps and kerbs," admitted Verstappen. "We've worked on it, but I don't think it's going to be an easy weekend."

Verstappen's rivals are also gaining momentum. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari trails him by 48 points in the drivers' championship, while Lando Norris of McLaren has emerged as a potential threat after claiming his maiden victory in Miami.

Verstappen hopes to extend his record-equalling sequence of eight pole positions to nine in Saturday's qualifying session, which is crucial for success in Monaco. However, he recognizes the need for a flawless performance throughout the weekend.

"Monaco is never straightforward," said Verstappen. "You need to get everything to work, and there's always a lot of disruption."

Verstappen is determined to avoid a repeat of his experience at Imola, where he recovered from a poor start to win by a narrow margin. "We have to be at our best," he said. "In the last few races, we haven't been operating at that level."

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