Not just Max Verstappen: strategy and depth key to overcoming Monaco challenge for Red Bull. Red Bull prepares for the Monaco GP knowing the RB21 may struggle.

F1, Barcelona the real test
Let’s be clear: we’re talking about a team that has won two out of three races at the tight street circuit of the French Riviera during the ground-effect car era. It’s often said that Monaco, due to its uniqueness, can overturn the usual track hierarchies and reward driver skill, as it demands millimetric precision — a crucial factor in both qualifying and over a 300-kilometer race distance.

In this sense, Verstappen is a reliable foundation upon which to build the weekend, despite the current limitations of the car. The technical project, which also proved strong at Imola, favors high-speed corners. Monaco, instead, requires a car that can maneuver with agility — already a tough challenge for this generation of F1 cars due to their massive size.

Nonetheless, the Italian race confirmed the positive direction of development pursued by Pierre Waché’s team. The next Grand Prix is seen almost as a mandatory stop where the Austrian team aims to limit the damage. Christian Horner’s squad is firmly convinced that the Spanish Grand Prix will be the true point of no return for the 2025 season.

The introduction of Technical Directive TD018 regarding front wing flexibility is perceived by the Racing Blue team as a sort of “Balance of Performance.” After all, if Milton Keynes’ confidence proves misguided, the battle against the papaya-colored McLaren cars could become very difficult — especially considering that McLaren has yet to begin their development program thanks to the strength of the initial MCL39 design, unlike Red Bull.

RB21: strengths to maximize over the weekend
It’s clear that Red Bull’s hopes for the Monaco weekend rest on the abilities of the four-time F1 world champion, as he alone could overturn a seemingly predetermined result. However, there are two factors that could highlight another strength of the Austrian team — strategy.

This year, the FIA has mandated a two-stop race to avoid a repeat of last year’s procession, where teams got around the second compound requirement under a safety car following the first-lap pile-up at Beau Rivage. This rule could bring the new supersoft compound (C6), already used in Imola qualifying, back into play. Another element must also be considered.

F1: Not just Max — other factors to exploit
There are a significant number of rookies and relatively inexperienced drivers on the starting grid who have never raced in Monaco before, including Hadjar, Bortoleto, Bearman, Colapinto, and Antonelli. Regardless of their talent and F2 experience, racing 78 laps in Monaco without errors is a major feat — even for veterans.

The chances of a Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car are very high, offering greater strategic opportunities. A prime example is the 2022 edition, won through a bold call by Perez and a misstep by Ferrari. Recent history has shown that Red Bull’s pit wall has played a decisive role in many of the team’s victories — as seen in Imola, where the strategists resisted the urge to follow Piastri’s pit stop.