Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, has admitted that Red Bull’s pace at the Dutch Grand Prix was “a bit alarming” after he was outpaced by Lando Norris during the race at Zandvoort. The unexpected challenge from Norris, who drives for McLaren, highlighted potential concerns for Red Bull as they continue to navigate the 2024 season.
Verstappen, who has been dominant throughout the year, was widely expected to clinch victory at his home Grand Prix. However, Norris managed to outpace the Red Bull star during crucial phases of the race, raising questions about the team’s performance and strategy.
“It was a bit alarming, to be honest,” Verstappen said in a post-race interview. “We knew McLaren had made strides, but to be outpaced like that on home soil is something we need to look into.”
The Dutch GP had been touted as a showcase for Verstappen’s skills, especially with the enthusiastic local support behind him. However, despite his best efforts, the Red Bull car seemed to struggle against Norris, particularly in the middle stints of the race. This performance gap has sparked discussions within the team about potential upgrades and strategy adjustments to maintain their championship lead.
“We have to analyze what happened and make sure we’re back on top,” Verstappen added. “There’s still a lot of racing to go, but we can’t afford to lose pace like this.”
As the F1 season progresses, Red Bull will undoubtedly be looking to address these issues quickly to ensure that Verstappen remains competitive in the fight for his third consecutive world title. Meanwhile, Norris’ performance at Zandvoort has further solidified McLaren’s resurgence as a force to be reckoned with on the grid.