After a difficult first practice session, Verstappen finished first in the FP2 timesheets.
He beeped Charles Leclerc he was just 0.065 seconds late to set the pace in the second practice.
Ferrari is expected to be a serious contender for pole position given their quick tire warm-up and low-speed cornering performance.
Speaking after practice in Monaco, Verstappen was quick to point out how impressive the Ferrari was in terms of “general driving”.
“PR1 was quite difficult. I wasn’t happy with the car over curbs and potholes,” he said. “I think FP2 was much better already – the car was much more competitive, but especially compared to the Ferrari, I think we’re still missing the overall ride of the car, how it handles curbs, potholes, camber drops.
“We still need to work on that for tomorrow as we’ve seen them very, very close and knowing that when you hit the limit in qualifying we need a bit more to stay ahead.”
Verstappen never scored a pole position in Monaco during his F1 career.
He qualified second for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix – which he won – after Leclerc was unable to start the race from pole position.
Verstappen believes there is still “scope” for improving the RB19’s performance.
“I think there is still some scope to go in the same direction, even more so. I hope tomorrow will be even better.
“The car was at least roadworthy and that also makes you able to do this lap, push a little more to get close to the guard rails here. Overall, not a good start, but a good end.
