Verstappen: 'I can't believe it'

In the stands of a packed Belgian Grand Prix, nearly 60% of the spectators were Dutch who came to support Max Verstappen. Part 5^e, the pilot Red Bull could hope to have a good race until his engine lost power, forcing him to retire once again.

« I can't believe this is still happening, he expressed in disappointment before the end of the race. It's already number 6^e time this season, I'm at 50% withdrawals. It's incredible. Like I said on the radio, I can't believe these things happen. I'm really not happy."

Fate seems to be besetting the young Dutchman, victim of a problem with the fourth cylinder of his engine Renault. This is the third engine failure of the season for the Dutchman, especially since his teammate was once again on the podium at Spa.

« Coming out of the last corner, something happened. I passed 4^e and suddenly all the power went away and I was in safety mode. It is very frustrating.

« This shouldn't happen in a top team. At first we say to ourselves that it’s bad luck, that sort of thing. But after the sixth time in a year, we can no longer call it bad luck."

Of the six retirements suffered in 2017, four were due to technical problems, three of which were linked to the Renault engine. The other two retirements were due to lap accidents in Spain and Austria.

« I fight with Fernando [Alonso] in terms of number of dropouts."