Max Verstappen leaves Monaco Grand Prix midway through race to go home after immediate retirement

Max Verstappen decided he’d had enough of the action in Monaco after being forced to retire, opting to go home mid-race.

The four-time world champion stalled when the lights went out on Sunday afternoon before going on to retire after one lap.

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He had qualified in second for the Grand Prix at the iconic street circuit but immediately dropped all the way to last place.

And that eventually led him to bring his Red Bull into the pits and exit the car, bringing an instant end to his day.

Verstappen would have been left deflated by the outcome and so much so that he didn’t plan on hanging around.

The Dutchman admitted when speaking post-race that he would be heading home, considering he lives in Monaco.

He simply said: “It’s only 500m, I’m going home.”

Verstappen has been living in an apartment in the Fontvieille district since moving into the luxury area in 2015.

His home is reported to cost around $14 million, with monthly rent said to cost a whopping $15,000 – and he and his family were spotted heading back to his pad from the circuit on a boat.

The 28-year-old had even pointed out where his apartment is to his fellow Formula 1 stars ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.

He was filmed speaking to eventual winner Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar, pointing up to a trackside apartment block.

Fans spread the clip around social media, with one writing: “Max Verstappen in the middle of explaining where he lives, only in Monaco can you see that.”

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‘It’s just a shame’

Verstappen spoke further of his disappointment at his early retirement in Monaco when speaking to the media post-race.

“After such a nice weekend for us, you’d at least hope to be on the podium,” he said. “We of course then retired basically straight away.

“It’s painful for everyone. There’s also no need to be super upset because I think everyone is already really disappointed about it.

“It’s just a shame for everyone.”

He added: “I really hoped that I could do something, or at least make it an exciting race and try to put the pressure on.

“I really felt good this whole weekend, and now to basically come away with zero points is probably even more painful.”

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Verstappen remains on just one podium so far this season, having retired following a P2 start in Monaco.

Drivers’ Championship leader Antonelli, meanwhile, picked up his fifth straight race win, extending his lead at the top.

Lewis Hamilton took second place, with Hadjar third after Pierre Gasly dropped down to fourth place due to a penalty.