Zandvoort is his circuit. Since the return of the Dutch route to the calendar in 2021, Max Verstappen has never been defeated at home with three consecutive victories. A series that could end on Sunday afternoon? Despite an already omnipresent audience in the stands all dressed in orange, the stage venue was not as impressive as usual. Ranked 5th in Free Practice 2, behind the McLaren and Mercedes three tenths of the benchmark set by George Russell, the three-time world champion was far from satisfied with his Friday.
“Of course I couldn't do many laps in the first practice session. During FP2, we were able to see a little more where we were. We're a little too slow on the short relays, a little too slow on the long relays, so there's a little work to do, underlines the Dutchman. At the moment there is no clear answer on how to improve this specifically, but we will consider it. It's a little too slow, it's that simple. » An observation far from ideal for Max Verstappen and especially for Red Bull, threatened by McLaren in the Constructors' championship with only 42 points ahead...
With Verstappen, let's wait for qualifying...
Obviously, Max Verstappen's fatalistic comments call for caution as Red Bull has been able, in the past, to go from a difficult Friday to a radiant Sunday. This season in particular, the women and men of the Austrian team have managed to give their flagship driver a car that is sufficiently efficient to compete for victory.
Moreover, Max Verstappen himself recalls that his team started its last weekends behind before distinguishing itself in qualifying then in the race. “That's what we've done in the last few races, so it's not really a surprise. We will try to find a little more performance for Sunday. » There is no doubt that the Dutchman will be able to find the necessary resources, whether in his car or through popular fervor, to gain the missing tenths and fight for victory. Objective, four in a row!
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
24/08/2024 at 11:15 a.m.
Wait and see for the quality!!