P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has expressed that the handling of his Red Bull Formula 1 car was “all over the place” despite taking a front-row starting spot at the Dutch Grand Prix. Verstappen managed to split the McLarens, but he was powerless to prevent Lando Norris from landing pole position as the Briton wound up over three-tenths […]
Max Verstappen couldn’t prevent Lando Norris from securing pole position, despite splitting the McLarens in qualifying. McLaren, the leading team in 2024, introduced a significant upgrade package to close the 42-point gap to Red Bull. Verstappen delighted the home crowd by briefly holding the Q3 benchmark, but Norris improved to claim a dominant pole position. Verstappen shared his struggles with inconsistent handling due to extreme gusts and admitted he never felt comfortable during qualifying. He acknowledged the challenge of beating Norris in the race after Red Bull’s recent performances and emphasized the ongoing efforts to improve competitiveness. Verstappen hopes for a stronger race performance but recognizes the difficulty posed by the gap to McLaren, particularly highlighting Norris’ strong form.