Max Verstappen believes Red Bull will need to have a "strong" qualifying session to win the Monaco Grand Prix. While Red Bull has achieved four poles so far this year, the last three Grands Prix have been seen the team battle with problems during qualifying. Verstappen himself missed out on pole at the Miami GP after a mistake at Turn 7 spoiled his fast lap, then a crash from Charles Leclerc thwarted his attempts to improve. "I am excited to get back to racing this week. Not racing in Imola was the right decision and I know it was not taken lightly but some things are obviously more important than racing and this was one of those occasions," said Verstappen. "Looking ahead to Monaco, qualifying is so important there so we need to make sure we are as strong as we can be in that session."
Verstappen: Race dependant on strategy
With Fernando Alonso looking like a potential threat and Leclerc wanting to end his spate of bad luck at his home race, either could win over Red Bull on merit. Verstappen thinks this race will be a tougher challenge than usual for Red Bull who have enjoyed superior dominance so far in 2023, and emphasises the importance of strategy in the race. "The circuit in Monaco is super tight, even more than other street circuits. So, nailing a qualifying lap here is extremely difficult but at the same time very exciting. "The race is usually heavily dependent on the strategy as overtaking is almost impossible. And of course, I live in Monaco so it’s nice to go home every evening during the Grand Prix weekend."
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