P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen secured a front-row start in Sprint Qualifying for the F1 Belgian GP, but admitted Red Bull’s straight-line speed won’t close the gap to McLaren.
Max Verstappen secured a front-row start in Sprint Qualifying for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, but acknowledged Red Bull’s straight-line speed won’t close the gap to McLaren. Despite a solid performance, the reigning World Champion acknowledged the challenge of overcoming its rivals this weekend. Verstappen was less than a quarter of a second off the pace, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri setting impressive lap times, with Piastri going four-tenths quicker. Despite this gap, Verstappen was pleased with his P2 finish and emphasized the need to focus on improving the balance of the car. He remains focused and realistic about the team’s performance, mentioning that improvements are being made but that other teams are doing the same. Yuki Tsunoda, his Red Bull teammate, struggled in qualifying, leading the team to potentially reconsider their setup choice for the main race given the likelihood of rain at Spa-Francorchamps.
