'At Least I Was Home Early': Verstappenâs Wry Response After Monaco GP Disaster
'At Least I Was Home Early': Verstappenâs Wry Response After Monaco GP Disaster Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 09:05 IST Verstappen retired on
'At Least I Was Home Early': Verstappenâs Wry Response After Monaco GP Disaster Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 09:05 IST Verstappen retired on lap one of the Monaco GP with an engine issue, joked about going home early, as Kimi Antonelli won again and extended his championship lead A disappointed Max Verstappen at the Monaco GP (AP) Max Verstappenâs Monaco Grand Prix was over almost before it began. Yet, even after a frustrating first-lap retirement, the four-time F1 world champion managed to find a silver lining â and a punchline. âDisappointing. At least I was home early," Verstappen wrote on X after his race came to an abrupt end on Sunday. Disappointing. At least I was home early. @Isack_Hadjar congrats on your first podium with the team đ pic.twitter.com/UNZgXAdesfâ Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) June 7, 2026 That perfectly summed up a miserable afternoon for the Red Bull driver, whose hopes of challenging from the front row disappeared the moment the lights went out.
Starting alongside pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli, Verstappen was expected to be one of the biggest threats in a race where track position is everything. But instead of launching into Turn 1, the Dutchman was left stranded on the grid by a technical issue. His frustration was immediately evident over team radio. âNice. Completely f**ked guys," Verstappen said. âWhat the f**k man?" After eventually getting moving at reduced speed, he completed a single lap before returning to the pits and retiring. Speaking afterwards, Verstappen revealed the warning signs had appeared even before the race began. âThe engine was bizarre, even on the warm-up lap. And then I could see on the grid the engine going crazy. The race was destroyed." The retirement was especially painful given the promise Red Bull had shown throughout the weekend. âAfter such a nice weekend for us, youâd at least hope to be on the podium," Verstappen admitted.
âWe of course then retired basically straight away. Itâs painful for everyone." While many drivers would have lingered around the paddock, Verstappen had a different plan. Interviewed trackside while the race continued, he was asked whether he would stay to watch the finish. âItâs only 500 metres, Iâm going home," the Dutchman said wrly and walked off. im crying man đđpic.twitter.com/Tv8m30t02Vâ Verstappen News (@verstappenews) June 7, 2026 As Verstappen headed for an early afternoon in Monaco, Antonelli capitalised on pole position to secure a fifth consecutive Grand Prix victory and extend his championship lead. The Red Bull driver now turns his attention to next weekendâs Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas.
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