Max Verstappen explains 'terrible' Monaco DNF issue as Red Bull 'dropped dead'

Max Verstappen has revealed what forced him into retirement at the Monaco Grand Prix and when he first realised he was in trouble.

The Dutchman pulled into the pits after the first lap in Monte Carlo, having barely managed to get his Red Bull off the line from second on the grid.

As the rest of the field swarmed past the RB22, Verstappen was seen struggling to get the car going. Thankfully, all those behind managed to avoid the four-time F1 drivers' champion.

He was asked by Sky Sports F1 when he first became aware of the power unit issue, which the Milton Keynes-based squad is still investigating.

"When the formation lap was not going very well," the 71-time grand prix winner replied, before detailing what he experienced behind the steering wheel, which looked suspiciously powered down before lights out.

"And then, after that, the pre-start was terrible, like there was just no consistency, and then the engine just dropped dead.

"And I only got a little bit of power back after the first corner, and then the engine sounded really awful; I could not go full throttle.

"So we brought it back, and that was it."

Isack Hadjar, sitting fourth in the other Red Bull in the early stages, is also battling gremlins in his car, with the one-time podium finisher without first gear.

"Something's going to explode! The engine is not healthy right now," he told the team over radio. The Frenchman was promptly informed that there is no fix and he must live with the issue.

On Lap 27, he had to skip the Nouvelle Chicane, with George Russell, who was putting him under pressure, calling for him to hand the position over. The Mercedes driver jumped the Red Bull during the pit stop phase.

Verstappen has been joined in retirement by Valtteri Bottas, who had a brake issue on his Cadillac, and Oliver Bearman.