The Dutch driver Max Verstappen has revealed that he is not in his best physical condition during the competition at the Dutch Grand Prix. Despite having already achieved three victories at Zandvoort since its reinstatement on the Formula 1 calendar in 2021, this 2026 edition has been a challenge for both him and his team.
Verstappen admitted during the Dutch media session that he feels ‘a bit like having the flu’ and that he lacks his usual energy. Nevertheless, he stated that he does not believe his health impacts his performance on the track: ‘Once I’m in the car, I feel fine.’
However, his experience at home has turned into a struggle, with the driver focusing more on resting than on immediately enjoying the surroundings: ‘I enjoy the fans in the stands, but I’m more interested in recovering sleep.’
Fundamental performance issues for Red Bull
In addition to Verstappen’s physical issues, Red Bull is facing performance difficulties at Zandvoort. In qualifying, the Dutchman placed seventh, over four tenths behind pole sitter Lando Norris.
Verstappen explained that the team had made several modifications to the car after the sprint test, but these had not led to any improvements: ‘The car’s balance is the main issue; it is not consistent throughout the corner, and that has been the case all season.’
According to the driver, the Zandvoort layout amplifies the weaknesses of the RB22. He specified that while some circuits might be more favorable, Zandvoort is not one of them, and they need to improve on several aspects of the car.
Verstappen pointed out that the current situation is not just a matter of setup: ‘We are currently limited by fundamental issues with the car that we need to solve.’
He believes that under current conditions, seventh place would be the best he could achieve during the race, especially if the weather remains stable and there are no surprises like rain.
A significant farewell for Zandvoort
This edition may not be the farewell that Verstappen would have wanted for his home race, but he expressed that the Dutch Grand Prix over the years has been a memorable chapter. ‘It has been the end of an era, with unforgettable moments and memories,’ he added.
Despite his moderate expectations, Verstappen has shown a pragmatic attitude, acknowledging that he will only be satisfied if he achieves a victory, which is unlikely to happen at this circuit: ‘We will try to enjoy it one last time.’
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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