Max Verstappen admits Red Bull do not have a “clear answer” on how to increase their pace at the Dutch Grand Prix after being beaten by Mercedes and McLaren in Friday practice.
Verstappen leads the world championship from McLaren’s Lando Norris by 78 points with 10 rounds of the season remaining, but comes into the home race on his longest winless streak since 2020, having gone four grands prix without a victory.
The Dutchman has won on all three of his previous appearances at Zandvoort but could only finish fifth in Friday’s second practice, with Mercedes and McLaren occupying the top four as George Russell set the pace for the Silver Arrows.
“In FP1 we didn’t get much running, but I think in FP2 you can see more where you are,” said Verstappen. “It’s a little slow in the short term, it’s a little slow in the long term. So it’s a little bit of work.
“Right now there is no clear answer on how to add something special, but we will look into things. Just slowly, as simple as that.”
Verstappen looked to be cruising to a fourth consecutive drivers’ title after winning four of the first five races of the season, but since then McLaren have consistently matched or outpaced Red Bull, while Mercedes have won three of the last four races. before his summer vacation.
Rain limited representative running in Friday’s first practice, but after a more informative second session, Verstappen insisted he was not surprised by the RB20’s performance.
“Where we’ve been the last few races is not a big surprise,” he said.
“We will try to find a little bit more performance for Sunday.”
Norris: Mercedes is faster but it’s close
If Norris is to start serious title pressure on Verstappen, he will want to take points from the Red Bull driver at the Dutchman’s home event.
Norris is just 0.025s ahead of Verstappen but will be backed up by McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri on pace in second practice, two tenths quicker.
“I’m optimistic, but I don’t know if it’s going to work or not or how it’s going to perform today. Today was a pretty good day and we’re there,” Norris said.
“There’s more to look for tonight and hopefully we can challenge Mercedes.”
McLaren brought the first major upgrade package to the MCL38 since May’s Miami Grand Prix, where Norris won his first F1 race.
New parts include updated front suspension, plus new front and rear corners of the car.
Norris and Piastri seemed happy with the balance of the car but the Brits weren’t sure they had the engine to beat them.
Asked if he thought McLaren was the strongest, he said: “Probably not. Mercedes is faster, closer. I don’t think anyone is the fastest. It just depends on different factors.
“We have been in good shape since Miami but have not really brought an update since. This weekend is the first time we try to make more progress.”
Russell and Hamilton praised the Mercedes car
Russell led second practice with Hamilton in third and just 0.111s behind his Mercedes team-mate at Zandvoort.
Mercedes has re-introduced the upgrades they brought to Spa-Francorchamps, after taking them off partway through the weekend of the Belgian Grand Prix.
“There is a big, big difference to last year. The car feels more alive and we are right at the front. We know the car is better now,” said Hamilton.
“To start on the right foot and make small tweaks from there is very helpful. It makes our job more fun. I don’t know if (we are in the mix) to win but at least we are in the top five. .”
Russell added: “The car is really good.
“I have upgraded and they seem to work as expected. It seems to be a close battle with McLaren and Max (Verstappen). But everything can be different there.
Sainz: Almost like a Sprint weekend after the gearbox problem
Carlos Sainz’s participation in Practice Two was limited by gearbox problems with the Spaniard – who will join Williams from 2025 – only able to register seven laps on the track.
He doesn’t expect any upsets this weekend, but admits his team is currently running on a track that doesn’t suit the car’s set-up.
Sainz said: “It’s not good. We needed two cars out on the track because it’s one of the weakest tracks of the season given the nature of the long corners and the ability of the car is still on the very side compared to our competitors.
“But tomorrow is FP3 and we will try our best to get that time back and be good for qualifying and the race.
“We went into Saturday almost like a Sprint weekend with only one practice session to get up to speed and have a good weekend.
“I had to hit the ground running in FP3 and be fast straight away. Hopefully we can still have a good performance.
“The positive thing is that it hasn’t affected the rest of the weekend, the gearbox pool or anything. It should be smooth sailing.”
Dutch GP schedule live Sky Sports F1
Saturday 24 August
09.10: Academy F1: Qualifying
10.15am: Three Dutch GP Practice (session starts at 10.30am)
13.00: Dutch GP Qualification
14:00: Dutch GP qualifies
16:00: F1 Academy: Race One
Sunday, August 25
09.40: F1 Academy: Race Two
12:30: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up
2pm: GRAND PRIX NETHERLANDS
16:00: Checkered Flag: Dutch GP reaction
Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with Sports Month Membership NOW – No contract, cancel anytime.
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