Max Verstappen makes extraordinary claim after Monaco GP farce

Max Verstappen has stated F1 cars can only just pull off manoeuvres on Formula 2 cars around Monaco, as he pointed to a lack of overtaking opportunities.

A significant pace gap exists between the two categories, with pole position at Monaco being roughly 11 seconds faster for F1.

Verstappen ended the grand prix in fourth place as he left his second of two mandatory pit stops until the penultimate lap.

The Dutchman was being chased in the closing laps by Lando Norris, who despite having much fresher tyres, could not get close enough to pull off an overtake.

F1 trialled a new experiment this year at Monaco that mandated two pit stops, which did little to improve the on-track action.

“You can't race here anyway, so it doesn't matter what you do, one stop or 10 stops,” Verstappen told Sky F1. 

“Even at the end I was in the lead, but my tyres were completely gone, and you still can't pass. 

“I think nowadays, with an F1 car, you can just pass a Formula 2 car around here.

“I get it, but I don't think it has worked.”

Verstappen then aimed a joke at the gimmicks in play, stating the sport was more akin to Mario Kart than F1.

“Honestly, we were almost doing Mario Kart!” Verstappen laughed.

“Then we'll have to install bits on the car, maybe you could throw bananas around [and create] a slippery surface.”