Formula 1: Verstappen’s damage limitation: Norris gives dune lesson

Max Verstappen’s anger over the lesson in the dunes from his World Championship rival Lando Norris was limited for the Formula 1 world champion. The Red Bull star had to acknowledge the English McLaren driver’s impressive second career triumph without envy at his home race in the Netherlands. With a deficit of just under 23 seconds to Norris, Verstappen missed out on his fourth Oranje party in second place in his 200th Grand Prix.

“We had a good start and tried everything we could, but it was clear that we were not fast enough,” Verstappen admitted over the radio. “It was a difficult race, but second place is okay.”

For now, this is Verstappen’s new, forced moderation. “We weren’t fast enough, but you got everything out of the car that was possible,” noted Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, speaking of “damage limitation.” Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko warned: “Our technicians have to come up with something. Coming second nine times isn’t enough.”

After crossing the finish line, Norris hugged his father Adam. “It feels fantastic,” said the Englishman. “The pace was strong, the car was incredible.” McLaren CEO Zak Brown was also full of praise. “Lando drove brilliantly,” said the American. The World Championship duel is in full swing.

After the first race after the summer break, Verstappen remains the undisputed world championship leader with 70 points. Despite a botched start, pole man Norris impressively outclassed the winner of the three previous Zandvoort races and is hoping for a boost for his own title quest. There are still nine Grand Prix left.

Norris messes up his start again

Charles Leclerc secured third place in front of a sea of ​​Oranje fans in his Ferrari a week before the Scuderia’s home race in Monza. Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg initially worked his way up from twelfth place on the grid, but ultimately missed out on the points by one place, finishing eleventh.

Things couldn’t have gone much better for Norris this weekend. The Englishman secured his third pole position of the year and the fourth of his career for the 15th Grand Prix of the season. But Norris has one big problem: the start. He has never been able to convert a pole position into a Grand Prix victory – at least that was the case before the horsepower chase through the dunes.

The McLaren driver also messed up his start in Zandvoort and just rolled from the spot. Verstappen took full advantage of this and overtook Norris after just a few meters. “We will try to win,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner before the red lights went out. “The first corner will be decisive.” Verstappen was already in the lead, but his lead over Norris remained at just around one second.

Verstappen chats with the royal couple

The Dutchman was thrilled by the backdrop at his home race, as he has been for the past three years. “That puts a big smile on my face,” Verstappen announced as he looked at the crowds of fans in orange and had an animated conversation with his royal couple Willem-Alexander and Máxima. After a 36-year break, the Dutch Formula 1 race returned to the calendar in 2021.

The start was certainly to the taste of the royals. What annoys Verstappen, however, is the basic performance of his company car, which has been miles superior in the past two years. “We have been too slow for a few races,” said the three-time world champion dissatisfied. “We will need a few races to make changes.”

Norris prepared his attack on Verstappen one lap in advance. On the 18th lap, the McLaren driver pushed past the Red Bull on the start-finish straight before the first corner. “My tires feel numb,” complained Verstappen over the radio.

Verstappen’s attack on Norris fizzles out

Norris managed to pull well ahead of the championship leader. “I can’t drive any faster, the car doesn’t respond to my instructions,” complained Verstappen again. Hülkenberg, who had described the weekend on the North Sea as more or less a “plague” due to many problems, was fighting at the back of the field for a long time.

Verstappen had to attack Norris and brought his pit stop forward on lap 28. He returned to the track in fifth place with the hard tires. McLaren reacted and brought Norris into the garage one lap later. The Englishman came in fourth, ahead of his World Championship rival. Halfway through the 72 laps, Norris was a full eight seconds ahead of Verstappen.

The McLaren’s performance was evident in the subsequent laps. Norris extended his lead over Verstappen with almost dreamlike certainty and took the point for the fastest lap on the very last lap.

Red Bull is forced to act. “McLaren is simply stronger and we have to come up with something,” said Marko. “There is a lot of work to do.”