Verstappen realistic: "It's simple, Mercedes is better"

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen didn't think he had a perfect lap in the shoot-out of Q3 in Monaco, but the Dutchman also added that Mercedes is simply too good to beat in one-lap speed.

Verstappen impressively finished third in qualifying in the Principality, beating both Ferrari cars to the punch but trailing behind both Mercedes cars yet again. The 21-year-old wasn't entirely happy with his final lap in Q3.

"I didn't have the right tyre temperature in Q3," he told Ziggo Sport.

"The first run they were too cold, and in the second [run], I couldn't drive my ideal out lap."

Despite these issues, the five-time Grand Prix winner was quick to add that Mercedes are simply a level above where Red Bull are at the moment.

Rather than looking ahead and potentially stealing a win, Verstappen has his sights set on retaining his position during the race with Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel in his rear mirrors.