Verstappen gets a new engine for Barcelona and receives an apology from Mekies

The Monaco Grand Prix weekend had all the ingredients for another memorable chapter in Verstappen’s Formula 1 career. Ahead of the race, Red Bull Racing hosted four days of celebrations at its iconic Red Bull Energy Station in Monte Carlo’s harbour, with DJs, live entertainment and guests gathering aboard the floating hospitality venue.

This massive party was supposed to set the stage for a spectacular climax; with Max Verstappen on the podium or perhaps even as the winner. However, the festive atmosphere quickly disappeared when disaster struck at the start of Sunday’s race.

The moment the lights went out and everyone launched off the line, all power vanished from the four-time world champion’s RB22. All aspirations were gone, it was game over. Zero points, all done.

A few hours later on the top floor of the Red Bull facility, Mekies left no room for doubt: Verstappen’s retirement was entirely on the Austrian team. “It’s an engine issue,” he told, among others, GPblog.

Mekies did not have full clarity on the exact issue with Verstappen’s power unit, but the French team boss was confident the fault would be identified. Max Verstappen, however, did not witness much of that process up close. Shortly after his retirement, he spoke to the international media in a remarkably calm tone.

“If I were leading the championship, this would be a very painful one. As it is now, it hurts a bit less, but it remains incredibly frustrating and disappointing for everyone,”the Dutchman reported, before (likely) heading home not long after.

The Dutchman’s focus will now shift to Barcelona, where Red Bull will fit a fresh power unit in the hope of bouncing back immediately and returning to the fight at the front of the Formula 1 field.