Image: APA/Hochmuth
The winner of the last two editions of the Grand Prix is the big favorite again this year. Red Bull star Max Verstappen wants to step on the gas again in front of his home fans and set Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine wins in a row.
“I’m looking forward to tackling the second half of the season and what could be better than starting in the Netherlands? It’s a fantastic track and of course the fans there are amazing so I’m definitely looking forward to going again out on the track,” said the Dutchman, who has won ten out of 13 races this season so far.
“Zandvoort is going to be a difficult race, the field is getting tighter. But we’re going to keep pushing as a team and will try to do our best and get a good result,” emphasized team-mate Sergio Pérez.
14. Victory en suite planned
Red Bull is aiming for their 14th win in a row on the second-shortest course on the calendar after Monaco. The team, spoiled by success and seemingly in a league without competition this season, would only improve their own record. Mercedes and Ferrari in particular want to torpedo the home victory of the old and probably also the new world champion. The Italians were closest to Red Bull ahead of the summer break at Spa-Francorchamps as Charles Leclec finished third behind Verstappen and Pérez.
According to team boss Frédéric Vasseur, Ferrari missed too many chances in the first half of the season. They still want to fight for second place in the constructors’ championship with Mercedes, but in the interim the Scuderia is only fourth behind Aston Martin. “We’re talking about tenths, not seconds, and we’ve shown on a number of occasions that we’re capable of fighting with Red Bull. At least in qualifying,” said Vasseur. “We have to understand why we are showing a little less performance in the race and try to improve there.”
Alpine is hoping for a strong weekend
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who finished second at Zandvoort last year, had boosted their memories. “We’re coming back stronger and we’re ready for the second half of the season. There’s still a lot to achieve and we won’t let up. We’ll give our all in the fight for second place in the Constructors’ Championship,” said the Viennese.
The Alpine team, which is part of the Renault Group and is under new leadership following the departure of team boss Otmar Szafnauer, is also hoping for a strong weekend. “The team’s strategy and goals have not changed, there are just a few personnel changes, as announced before the break,” said interim team boss Bruno Famin. “Zandvoort is an exciting new beginning for all of us and I’m sure everyone in the team is up for the challenge.”
The weather is once again a question mark. From Thursday rain showers can fall again and again in the coastal area. “It looks like the weather could be moody there, but I don’t care,” said Verstappen unimpressed. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s wet or dry, we’ll do our best.”
Source: Nachrichten
