Where's Max Verstappen? How Red Bull have snuffed out their brightest star

Max Verstappen's absence from the peak of this season's championship narrative underscores Red Bull's struggle to maintain its former pace. The Dutch driver has produced fewer standout performances as the team grapples with a difficult package, with Monaco briefly showing glimpses of past speed before a slower trend dominated later races. The car's weight, balance, and grip issues have muted Verstappen's edge despite a powerful engine. In post-race remarks, he described the race as lonely and admitted they were unable to follow on any tyre compound, even with strategic efforts. With rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari leading headlines, fans wonder when Red Bull will reclaim its spark.