Doornbos tips Max Verstappen to bounce back

Max Verstappen has been tipped to bounce back from a dire weekend in Monaco, just a fortnight after making history with his astonishing Barcelona win. The 18-year-old made history in Spanish grand prix only to crash literally to earth both in qualifying and the race on the unforgiving streets of Monaco.

"All great champions have their black days," fellow Dutchman and former F1 driver Robert Doornbos told Ziggo Sport Totaal. "In the space of a few days, Max has experienced for himself how cruel the sport can be after the seventh heaven in Spain. It's important how he handles it now but I think he will be fine. Last year he also had a disappointing weekend at Silverstone and yet a week later he was fourth in Budapest," he told the Dutch broadcaster.

"I don't think Max needs to worry about his place at Red Bull. Actually it's nice to see that Max is just flesh and blood after all," Doornbos added. Indeed, in Canada next weekend, Verstappen will get the same Renault engine upgrade that was used so effectively by his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in Monaco. "By then the team could overtake Ferrari to be Mercedes' main rival," said Doornbos. (GMM)