Max Verstappen is braced for an isolated race at the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix following another difficult qualifying session for the four-time world champion.
Announcing his contract extension ahead of what looks to be F1’s final visit to Zandvoort for the foreseeable future, Verstappen wanted to put on a good show to his adoring home fans.
Instead, after a Sprint Race where he finished a distant sixth, qualifying for Sunday’s race proved equally as difficult, the Dutchman’s best lap only good enough for seventh.
His RB22 lacked confidence and poise, not the first time in 2026, balance remaining one of the biggest issues facing Verstappen as he battles with a car and power unit that are not to his liking.
After the session, Verstappen confirmed that the status quo that has hindered him all year remains, with setup changes between the Sprint and qualifying proving futile.
“It’s just the same,” he said to media, including Motorsport Week.
“Same balance issues that we had all weekend. So with the big changes that we made, that unfortunately didn’t really do anything to the car.
“Really basically the whole year. It’s not rare that something has that popped up.
“I think also some changes they need to be made for next year.”
Ahead of the race, Verstappen confirmed his target of moving forward or face being completely cut off from the front runners, hoping the race will close the gap.
“I would hope so. I mean, otherwise we are completely alone.
“So I hope that we can close the gap a little bit potentially in the race.”
Max Verstappen braced for a difficult afternoon
Speaking to Sky Sports later, Verstappen appeared braced for a challenging race, but hoped for a result that would be “a little better”.
Asked if Red Bull can change something for the race, Verstappen replied: “I don’t know. Difficult to say at the moment when you are just lacking pace. Just need to try and do our own race and see if it’s positive or not.”
“For sure, this is not our best layout, probably, but we just need to work on it tomorrow. It might be a little bit better, but yeah, we need to try and just dial it out.”
“It’s not frustrating. I mean, we’ve been in that [situation] basically the whole the whole year, you know? It’s not something that has just popped up.”
Verstappen’s low expectations for Sunday will disappoint many in the grandstands who have journeyed to see their home hero. But, present, the RB22 remains a car not in contention to fight for victory.
Add in Verstappen battling illness this weekend, and the Dutchman faces a hard task to make what could be his last race at Zandvoort in a long time an event to remember.
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