Max Verstappen will have a new power unit in Barcelona following Monaco Grand Prix DNF

Verstappen retired from the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix after his car failed to launch off the line and the engine simply died.

The Dutchman was starting from second and was probably the only driver who could've challenged eventual winner Kimi Antonelli as Ferrari struggled for pace during the race.

Speaking to the media in Monaco on Sunday afternoon, Red Bull Racing boss reflected on Verstappen's DNF which raised questions about the reliability of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit, the DM01.

The FIA has ruled that the DM01 was the best power unit on the 2026 Formula 1 grid, but with three failures so far, reliability will be a concern.

Isack Hadjar retired from the opening race in Melbourne while Verstappen suffered a coolant issue in China and retired while the power unit survived until it terminally failed in Monaco.

Pointing out that Verstappen's Monaco power unit was his first in 2026, Mekies said: “We have identified what the issue is. It developed on the formation lap, and it gave him—or us—no chance. So that's what it is.

“As you may be aware, it was also the very first PU of Max this season, which was planned to be changed after Monaco," he pointed out.

Verstappen has dragged the RB22 in Monaco into pole contention, so a DNF at the race start wasn't what he deserved.

“It's not what we wanted,” Mekies went on. “Obviously, we can only apologize to Max because the job he had done with the team to get to that level of pace around Monaco was outstanding.

Probably early days to discuss what the fix is, but we think we have identified what the issue is," the Frenchman concluded. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)