Max Verstappen was left frustrated after qualifying only seventh for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, with major set-up changes to his Red Bull RB22 producing almost no improvement. The four-time Formula 1 world champion will start his final home race at the circuit from the fourth row, while also dealing with flu-like symptoms that have left him short of his usual physical energy.
The summer break and his lucrative new Red Bull contract represented two important moments for Max Verstappen, but neither has helped improve the RB22’s performance in front of his home supporters. After another difficult qualifying session, the Dutchman admitted Red Bull had made substantial changes to his car without solving the underlying balance problems.
Max Verstappen qualifies seventh after difficult Zandvoort session
Max Verstappen could go no higher than seventh in Dutch Grand Prix qualifying and will line up on the fourth row alongside his new temporary team-mate Liam Lawson.
It is far from the home farewell Verstappen would have hoped for at Zandvoort. The Red Bull driver has already paid tribute to his Dutch supporters ahead of the circuit’s final Formula 1 race, but performance on track has so far prevented the weekend from becoming the celebration he wanted.
His difficulties have also been compounded by his physical condition. Verstappen revealed that he has felt unwell throughout the weekend and is lacking his normal level of energy, describing the symptoms as similar to having the flu.
Importantly, however, he does not believe the illness is affecting his driving once he gets behind the wheel.
“I’ve felt better than this, yes. I feel a bit like I have the flu and I simply don’t have the same energy as usual. But I don’t think it’s affecting my performance on track. Once I get in the car, I actually feel fine.”
Major Red Bull set-up changes fail to improve Verstappen’s RB22
After a complicated Friday, Red Bull decided to make significant changes to the set-up of Verstappen’s RB22 in an attempt to give him a more favourable balance.
The intervention was substantial, but according to Verstappen, its impact was negligible.
“The changes didn’t help much. We changed something major, but in the end the feeling was still the same.”
That was particularly disappointing because the changes were intended to give Verstappen greater confidence and allow him to attack more aggressively through Zandvoort’s demanding sequence of corners.
“We changed quite a lot on the car, but it didn’t make any difference. So the balance was basically the same as I’d had throughout the weekend. It didn’t really allow me to push or feel comfortable with the car. So in the end, this is the position we’re in.”
The difficulties underline how challenging the weekend has become for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Even a significant set-up departure failed to change the fundamental behaviour of the RB22, leaving the four-time champion unable to extract the level of performance he wanted over a single lap.
Verstappen doubts rain would have changed Zandvoort qualifying result
Heavy rain arrived at Zandvoort immediately after the chequered flag ended Dutch Grand Prix qualifying. Given Verstappen’s reputation as one of Formula 1’s strongest drivers in wet conditions, a rain-affected Q3 might ordinarily have represented an opportunity.
Verstappen, however, was not convinced that even changing conditions would have solved Red Bull’s underlying lack of speed.
“It’s difficult to say how Q3 would have gone on a wet track. I don’t know how the car works in the rain. Normally I’m strong in the wet, but it doesn’t change anything. We’re simply too slow, and tomorrow if it’s dry we’ll still be too slow.”
Weather has been a major consideration throughout the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, with an increased risk of rain at Zandvoort adding further unpredictability to the Sprint format and qualifying sessions.
Max Verstappen cautious over Dutch GP prospects
With seventh place on the grid and no clear solution to the RB22’s balance problems, Verstappen is also reluctant to make ambitious predictions for Sunday’s race.
“For tomorrow… it’s difficult to say how we’ll perform, because we’re lacking speed,” Max Verstappen concluded.
Red Bull therefore heads into the Dutch Grand Prix with work still to do. Verstappen’s physical condition may improve, but the more significant concern remains the car: after major changes between sessions, the RB22 still delivered almost exactly the same balance and left its lead driver unable to push with confidence.
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