Max Verstappen moves from Belgium to his home Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort at his home Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort this weekend with a spring in his move, even though he expects to be less impressive at Spa last Sunday.
Red Bull’s fledgling Formula One championship leader has won the opening two races well from the bottom – 10th in Hungary, 14th in Belgium – and will look to continue the run from the front of the grid this time.
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With a 93-point margin for Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez, and a 98 advantage over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who remains his closest real rival, Verstappen is comfortable and running for a second title.
This weekend will be his first home race as world champions, so there’s plenty to get the party started with the circuit at full capacity after limited crowds due to pandemic restrictions last year.
“There is a lot of downforce required on the track in Zandvoort (compared to Spa), so it will be harder for us to lead, I hope Ferrari will be strong there,” Verstappen said ahead of the 15th race of the 22-round season.
“I definitely want a good result but it is important to always score points. I am just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it is going to be great.”
massive party
Verstappen started a huge party last year by winning by pole at Zandvoort, the first Dutch Grand Prix since 1985.
He returns to a streak of success this season with nine wins and chases down his fourth in a row.
A 10th win would equal their numbers over last year and the Dutch driver is on course to break the record of 13 in a season jointly held by German Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said after his team’s one-two at Spa that circuit characteristics played a big role in the performance gains.
The Zandvoort is not easy to overtake and, with the high banked end corners, makes it all the more important to move up the grid, even though there is always the risk of a safety car collecting things.
Ferrari need a morale boost and Verstappen’s win over the Orange Army in the second half of the triple-header will set them up for Italy’s Monza circuit next week.
“Zandvoort should be a better track for us. Monza should have the advantage of Red Bull, but we will try and win it at Zandvoort,” said Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who finished third at Spa after starting from pole position are.
Mercedes, away from the pace of qualifying at Spa, would also like to return to a circuit where the team finished second and third last year with Lewis Hamilton and the now-defunct Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton’s car took a major hit at Spa after Fernando Alonso’s first lap collision with the Alpine and sent it high into the air before crashing, and question marks remain about a possible penalty.
“He’ll be fine, he’ll be back in the fight for Zandvoort,” said team strategy director James Wowles.
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