Verstappen Feels 'Like Myself Again' in Monaco Qualifying as 2026 Criticism Lingers

Max Verstappen says Monaco Grand Prix qualifying finally let him "feel like myself again" in a 2026 Formula 1 car, a welcome break from the battery-management headaches that have driven his criticism of the new era.

Why it matters:

Verstappen has led driver opposition to the 2026 powertrain rules, comparing races to "Mario Kart" because of the 53-47 ICE-to-electric split and artificial boost modes. Monaco's low-speed corners allow continuous energy harvesting, removing battery-save tactics and restoring a natural driving style. His renewed feel for the car underscores how differently these machines behave on tracks where harvesting is harder.

The details:

• Verstappen praised the narrower chassis and better apex visibility without last year's wheel deflectors, though his disdain for the powertrain formula remains intact.
• After trailing by nine-tenths in FP3, Red Bull unlocked enough pace to fight for pole; Kimi Antonelli's quicker Sector 2 ultimately decided the top spot.
• The car is still unsettled over Monaco's bumps and kerbs through the middle sector, costing lap time that kept Verstappen from pole.
• A front-row start easily beat his post-practice goal of fifth place.

What's next:

Verstappen will keep pushing back against the 2026 regulations, but Monaco showed that street circuits can still deliver the raw driving experience he craves. With race starts proving more critical this season, his Sunday hinges on a clean getaway at a circuit where overtaking is nearly impossible.