Four-time world champion, Max Verstappen, admits surprise at the FIA deeming Red Bull's ICE the most powerful when assessing the AUDO system.

Indeed, seeing as the announcement came hours after the Dutchman failed to make it off the Monaco grid due to an engine failure "surprised" seems to be something of an understatement.

Nonetheless - and, ironically, as it was predicted by both Toto Wolff and George Russell almost from the start of the season - the FIA sees the Red Bull engine as the benchmark against which all others will be measured for the Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities.

"We were all a little bit surprised with that news," Verstappen told reporters in Barcelona today. "I guess that's why we're talking to the FIA now to see what happened, how they came to that conclusion.

"There's not much more to say right now," he added. "That's what they're looking at."

While being seen as the benchmark in its debut season might well be seen as a magnificent achievement, other than reliability issues, Verstappen and his team have to sit back while the likes of Mercedes - which has won every race this year - and Ferrari are given the all clear for further development.

"It's a bit double... I guess, at the moment, because maybe from the outside you should say 'yes, that's amazing', but we just feel surprised because we don't feel like we are the best," admitted the Dutchman.

"It's super impressive what they have done," he continued. "If you look at it, we're definitely not the worst out there and it's super impressive what they have done in such a short time frame.

"Of course, we still have some reliability things, but overall, it's honestly nice to be a part of it and seeing the drive of the people and what they want to do.

"They're never satisfied, I'm also never satisfied, but they aren't as well, and they're equally as disappointed when things don't go right. So yes, in a way of course we are proud. We're just a bit confused with suddenly being portrayed as the best because we don't feel like that."

You're not alone Max, you're not alone.