Verstappen: Red Bull car balance ‘all over the place’ at Zandvoort

Max Verstappen has expressed that the handling of his Red Bull Formula 1 car was “all over the place” despite taking a front-row starting spot at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen managed to split the McLarens, but he was powerless to prevent Lando Norris from landing pole position as the Briton wound up over three-tenths faster.

McLaren, which has emerged as the benchmark team in 2024, has introduced a sizeable upgrade package this weekend as it aims to close a 42-point gap to Red Bull.

Verstappen was able to delight the home crowd when he usurped Norris’ initial Q3 benchmark, but the McLaren driver then improved further to seize a dominant pole.

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The Dutchman has claimed that he was content with second, as the extreme gusts that have been prevalent all weekend saw him struggle with inconsistent handling.

“I had a bit of a moment in the [Turn] 11-12, but that was also a bit my qualifying in general,” Verstappen said. “I never really felt comfortable. 

“Every run, there was always one or two corners where I felt like I was losing a lot of time. With the gust of wind, it seemed like it was very sensitive for us. 

“The car was really responding aggressively to it. That’s why I think every single run that I did was different. I just had a different balance every time. It just made it very difficult. 

“Q3, I think the first lap wasn’t too bad. I tried to push it a bit more, but everything just seems very snappy, very on the edge, I would say. 

“Nevertheless, I’m happy to be on the front row after Q1, Q2. I’ve never really been in that top-five region.

“Of course, I was trying to save tyres a bit because I only had four sets, but I never really felt that I was in the fight for pole. 

“When you come out of qualifying on the front row, I think that’s okay.”

Verstappen has been candid about Red Bull’s need to become more competitive and he’s conceded that the side has no “magic button” to get on terms with McLaren.

“I mean, it’s three-tenths here [the gap to McLaren], whatever it was,” he acknowledged.

“I don’t know what, of course, the upcoming races will be. I think, yeah, if you look at the last seven races, it’s just been a bit more difficult for us. 

“We are trying to understand and trying to just improve the situation, but it’s not a magic button switch that you turn. Yeah, we keep trying.”

Verstappen, who has gone four races without a win, has admitted that Red Bull’s gap to McLaren over one lap suggests beating Norris will be a tall order in the race.

Asked whether he expects to be more competitive in the race, Verstappen replied: “I would hope so, but I think when you see the gap, it’s going to be very tricky. 

“It seems like Lando’s a bit happier in general, but just the driving and how he feels, I’m a bit more all over the place with the balance. 

“I don’t know, maybe it stabilises a bit tomorrow, but I guess we’ll find out.”