Max Verstappen lost his home race in Zandvoort and is experiencing a fifth consecutive stage without a win, but he believes there is no need for alarm…
Question: Max, did you face more issues during the race than on Saturday?
Max Verstappen: The entire weekend was consistent. From the first practice session until the end, the balance remained nearly the same. It’s hard to assess the reasons right now. The car definitely lacked speed, which is evident, although it was in good condition prior.
Something has been off with the car recently, and we need to rectify the situation as soon as possible.
Q: Is there a specific cause? At one point, you mentioned on the radio that the car wasn’t responding. Was it a problem with understeer?
Max Verstappen: It’s simply not balanced, whether at the front or rear.
Q: Let’s discuss the start. Do you think there was more grip on the inside? Charles made progress at the start, as did George Russell, and you as well…
Max Verstappen: The start was typical. I had some wheelspin too. Sergio had a solid start on the left side. I think we executed everything correctly.
In most races this year, we have had a good start. Although predicting anything here was tough since the conditions were constantly changing—sometimes rainy, sometimes dry—leading to unstable grip.
Question: Can you share your thoughts on the first laps? After taking the lead, did you feel confident about maintaining it?
Max Verstappen: I was just racing my own race, managing the tyres and doing all I could. At one point, the car stopped turning, and Lando closed in for the first time. The next lap, there was nothing I could do. Once he got ahead, I shifted my focus back to my race, aiming to finish second.
Question: Considering the car’s strengths and weaknesses, how do you assess your chances at Monza?
Max Verstappen: I’m not sure. If we can resolve the balance issues, that would help significantly. There are many new factors at Monza—the asphalt, the kerbs, and even the layout of turns 1 and 2. We need to figure all of that out.
Question: You mentioned balance issues. Did they arise during development, or have they always been present?
Max Verstappen: There weren’t any in the first races. Something in the car has made it more challenging to drive. Now it’s very difficult to identify the cause. This impacts our performance during both fast laps and longer runs.
Question: Helmut Marko is concerned about this result for Red Bull and states that action needs to be taken quickly to avoid jeopardizing both championships.
Max Verstappen: I believe the weekend in Zandvoort went poorly, and the previous stages weren’t exceptional either. However, there’s no need for panic. We are working to improve the situation. Efforts are ongoing.
Question: Since the end of 2020, you haven’t had such a prolonged stretch without a win…
Max Verstappen: Yes, that can happen in racing. However, it can also be viewed differently—some drivers have never won a race.
Currently, we don’t have the fastest car, and we’re facing some issues. We are addressing them. That’s all I can say. There are still many races ahead on various tracks. This weekend simply wasn’t the best.
Max Verstappen Reflects on Zandvoort Race and Future Challenges
Max Verstappen lost his home race in Zandvoort, spent the fifth stage without a win, but believes there is no reason to panic…
Understanding the Weekend’s Challenges
Question: Max, were there more problems in the race than on Saturday?
Max Verstappen: The whole weekend was the same. From the first practice to the finish, the balance was almost the same. It is difficult to judge the reasons now. The car lacked speed—this is obvious, although we had it in order before.
There has been something wrong with the car lately; we need to turn the situation around as quickly as possible.
Race Day Dynamics: Balance and Grip
Identifying Underlying Issues
Q: Is there a specific reason? At one point you said on the radio that the car wasn’t responding. So the problem was understeer?
Max Verstappen: It’s just not balanced, front or back.
The Importance of Grip During Starts
Q: Let’s talk about the start. Do you think there was more grip on the inside? Charles made progress at the start. So did George Russell. And you too…
Max Verstappen: The start was normal. I had a bit of wheelspin too. Sergio had a good start on the left side. I think we just did everything right.
In most races this year, we had a good start. Although it was difficult to predict anything here—the conditions were constantly changing, sometimes rainy, sometimes dry—so there was no stable grip.
Key Moments in the Race
First Laps and Maintaining Focus
Q: Tell us about the first laps. Having taken the lead, were you confident that you would maintain the lead?
Max Verstappen: I was just driving my own race, taking care of the tyres, doing everything I could. At one point, the car stopped turning, and Lando got pretty close for the first time. And on the next lap, there was nothing I could do. So once he got ahead, I focused on my race and tried to finish second.
Looking Forward: Upcoming Challenges
Assessing Future Races
Q: Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the car, how do you rate your chances at Monza?
Max Verstappen: I don’t know. If we solve the balance problems, that will help a lot. There are a lot of new things in Monza—the asphalt, the kerbs, even the position of turns 1 and 2. We have to figure all that out.
Historical Context of Balance Issues
Q: You mentioned balance issues. Did they appear during development, or were they always there?
Max Verstappen: In the first races, there were none. Something in the car made it more difficult to drive. And now it is very difficult to find the reason. It affects our results both on a fast lap and on a long distance.
Team Dynamics and Expert Opinions
Concerns from Team Leadership
Q: Helmut Marko finds this result worrying for Red Bull and says something needs to be done quickly or both championships are at risk.
Max Verstappen: I think the weekend in Zandvoort just went badly, and the previous stages weren’t fantastic either. But there’s no need to panic. We’re trying to improve the situation. The work is ongoing.
Reflections on Periods Without Wins
Q: Since the end of 2020, you haven’t had such a long period without winning…
Max Verstappen: Yes, it happens in racing. But you can look at it from another angle—some drivers have never won a race. Yes, at the moment we don’t have the fastest car, and there are some problems. We are working on them. That’s all I can say. There are still many races ahead, many different tracks. It’s just that this weekend was not the best.
Practical Insights and Takeaways
- Understanding Balances: It’s critical for racers to understand the balance of their car to maximize performance. Any deviation must be resolved immediately.
- Start Strategy: A strong start can set the tone for the rest of the race. Choosing grip wisely is essential.
- Continuous Improvement: Teams must constantly analyze performance data and make adjustments to thrive in competitive racing.
What’s Next for Verstappen and Red Bull
As Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team prepare for their next race in Monza, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if they can bounce back from this disappointing outing. With ongoing technical issues and a seasoned driver committed to improvement, there may still be plenty of exciting races ahead.
Benefits of Emphasizing Teamwork and Communication
- Real-time Feedback: Communication on the radio during the race can provide vital insights to adjust strategies.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Team efforts in troubleshooting technical issues can lead to faster resolutions.
- Mental Resilience: Maintaining a positive mindset during a rough patch is essential in racing.
