Max Verstappen ‘realistic’ about prospects for Dutch Grand Prix as he reflects on lack of pace during qualifying

“It’s very tricky out there with the wind; you have these gusts of wind coming in, so every single lap just feels different, so you can’t really go off a reference as well. I’m happy with second. I think after yesterday as well this is a good result.”

Pushed on how challenging the session had been in terms of balance, Verstappen explained: “It’s how it is at the moment. Not the easiest to drive… But the rest of the lap was quite solid. I think only [Turns] 11, 12 was a bit difficult. We’ll see. Hopefully the car is okay tomorrow in the race.”

FACTS AND STATS: A fourth career pole for Norris as McLaren bag their first at Zandvoort for 40 years

Verstappen will enter Sunday’s race with an unblemished record, having taken victory at Zandvoort in every year since it returned to the F1 calendar in 2021.

Asked if he could still win this time around, the Dutchman reflected: “We’ll give it a good go. Of course when you’re more than three-tenths behind in qualifying, I think we have to be realistic. I’ll just try to have a good race tomorrow.”

On the other side of the Red Bull garage, Sergio Perez will line up in fifth place. The Mexican enjoyed a decent session but was left unhappy after feeling that he had been impeded by the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton during Q1, an incident that was set to be investigated by the stewards later on.