The countdown to Max Verstappen’s eventual third consecutive Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship will begin on Sunday at the Dutch Grand Prix.
This is the first of the last 10 races on the calendar of a season that the Dutch driver has outrageously dominated.
With a 125-point lead over next rival, Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, Verstappen could take it easy as F1 resumes action after its summer break. But that’s never how Verstappen sees things.
At home in Zandvoort, he will be aiming for a ninth straight victory, which would equal an F1 record set by Sebastian Vettel in 2013, and an 11th victory this season.
Verstappen set a record last year with 15 wins, a record he could easily beat. He has 46 wins to his name, ranking him fifth all-time, with Alain Prost (51) and Vettel (53) leading him this season. And he’s only 25 years old.
Verstappen’s nearly flawless driving, coupled with the fastest car on the circuit, has led some observers to say there’s no reason to believe Red Bull won’t win every race by the end. of the season.
“Honestly, I don’t think about it too much,” Verstappen said. Of course, I would like to win here and everyone knows that. It’s a special place for me. And anyway, victory is the goal every weekend. »
Encouraged by thousands of spectators dressed in orange, Verstappen won the last two Grands Prix presented on the winding 4.3 kilometer course. The weather forecast announces the possibility of showers every day.
“With the track and the weather, it’s not necessarily obvious. It could be more complicated, said Verstappen. We’ll see. We have a good car, but everything still needs to fall into place for us to have a good weekend. »
Verstappen dominated Friday’s first practice session, ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. McLaren’s Lando Norris clocked the fastest time in session two, ahead of Williams’ Verstappen and Alex Albon.
Both sessions were interrupted by red flags.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Daniel Ricciardo hit the wall within seconds at the third corner during the second session.
Ricciardo suffered a broken hand and will be replaced by Liam Lawson over the weekend. Lawson will participate in a first career Grand Prix.
Nico Hulkenberg of Haas suffered an accident towards the end of the first session.
Quebecer Lance Stroll of Aston Martin did not set a time during the first session due to engine concerns. Stroll was able to ride in the second session and he finished in eighth position.
Perez has won the other two races of the season, while Red Bull also has a monster lead in the constructors’ championship.
A win on Sunday would see the team improve on its own F1 record of 14 wins in a row, including the last race in 2022.