'At Least I Was Home Early': Verstappen’s Wry Response After Monaco GP Disaster

Last Updated:June 08, 2026, 09:01 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

Max Verstappen’s 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 — and a punchline.

“Disappointing. At least I was home early," Verstappen wrote on X after his race came to an abrupt end on Sunday.

The remark 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.

“Nice. Completely f**ked guys," Verstappen said. “What 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.

“The 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.

“After such a nice weekend for us, you’d at least hope to be on the podium," Verstappen admitted. “We of course then retired basically straight away. It’s 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.

“It’s only 500 metres, I’m going home," the Dutchman said wrly and walked off.

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 weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

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. His...Read More

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