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Verstappen loses undefeated streak: "The gap to Lando..."
- Jeroen Immink
Max Verstappen has finished in P2 in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix. On a windy Zandvoort circuit, the Dutchman was three tenths slower than Lando Norris who will start the race from pole position. After qualifying, Verstappen reacted sceptically to his expectations for the race.
Verstappen after qualifying GP Netherlands
"I had a bit of a moment in 11-12, but that was also a bit my qualifying in general," Verstappen revealed afterwards. "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 just a gust of wind. The car was really responding aggressively to it. And that's why I think every single run that I did, it was different. And yes, it just made it very, very difficult.," the Dutchman said.
Despite that, though, Verstappen is happy with the front row of the grid. "Q3, I think the first lap wasn't too bad. Then I tried to push it a bit more, but everything just seems very snappy, very on the edge, I would say. But nevertheless, I mean, I'm happy to be on the front row. 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. And then when you come out of qualifying on the front row, I think that's OK."
Can Verstappen beat Norris in the race?
On expectations for the race, Verstappen was sceptical. "I would hope so. But I think when you see the gap, it's going to be very tricky. Also, it just seems like Lando's a bit happier in general with just the driving and how he feels. I'm a bit more, all over the place with the balance. So I don't know. Maybe it will stabilise a bit tomorrow. But yes, I guess we'll find out," concluded Verstappen.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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