After cruising to victory in the Saturday’s Sprint, Max Verstappen is unsure about Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver will start the race from fourth on the grid, following a disappointing qualifying session that left him puzzled by the car’s balance.
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Setup Change Backfires in Qualifying
Verstappen had been dominant in the Sprint, thanks to a low-drag setup that gave him an edge on the straights. But with rain forecast for Sunday’s race, Red Bull chose to add more downforce for better grip in wet conditions. This change, however, didn’t work as expected.The Dutchman admitted that the revised setup didn’t improve the car’s handling, but made things worse in Q3.
Verstappen Blames Wheelspin And Poor Grip
“The first lap in Q3 felt awful,” Verstappen said. “We changed some things expecting more grip, but I had wheelspin starting the lap and again in Turn 1. I lost two tenths right there.”
He explained that even after trying to recover time, the lack of grip cost him dearly. Without those early mistakes, he believes he could have been closer to the McLarens at the front.
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McLaren Pace and Weather Create Uncertainty
With heavy rain predicted for the main race, Verstappen remains uncertain about his chances of climbing back to the front.
“If it’s wet, visibility is a big issue. You can’t do much on the first lap when you can’t see anything,” he said.
He also pointed out that McLaren’s wet-weather performance has improved dramatically. Verstappen said that the team has mastered how to manage engine and grip balance in tricky conditions—something Red Bull still needs to work on.
Verstappen Focused On Recovery, Not Victory
The Red Bull driver ruled out any big expectations for Sunday. Instead, his focus is now on recovering ground and hopefully fighting for a podium finish.
“We just need to be realistic,” he added. “We have to fix our own balance issues before we start thinking about beating anyone.”
While it’s rare to hear Verstappen speak this cautiously, the conditions at Spa-Francorchamps and the impressive pace of McLaren have added a new layer of challenge for the reigning champion. As it stands, Verstappen will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to return to the top step of the podium on Sunday.
Featured Image source: F1 newsroom
