Making mistakes may be uncharacteristic of Max Verstappen, but that’s exactly what the four-time world champion did on the first lap of his home Formula 1 race. Starting the Dutch Grand Prix from seventh on the grid after feeling unwell all weekend, Verstappen made a decent getaway, but found himself stuck on the grass in a four-way moment on the way to Turn 1. Consequently, he was challenged by Red Bull substitute Liam Lawson in the following corners, which he didn’t mind: “We’re allowed to race, so I think that’s normal.” Verstappen eventually maintained that seventh position, but rain that occurred about 50 minutes before the start wet the track and two drivers lost control in the final banked corner of the first lap. While Gabriel Bortoleto emerged unscathed from a 360-degree spin, the Red Bull superstar was unable to reach the RB22 and suffered a heavy fall, which brought out a red flag. “I think the exit is just a consequence of what is happening on the right. It’s okay, it can happen,” Verstappen commented on the incident with the light out. “So, yeah, I got stuck. It was still pretty wet in that corner, and as soon as I saw the dry patch coming up, I thought, ‘Now you can accelerate,’ but clearly that didn’t work. So it was probably still too early.” Max Verstappen, Red Bull Photo by: Eric Le Galliot Verstappen described the impact as “a decent hit” but clarified that he “had had worse.” Red Bull ultimately suffered its worst grand prix since the April break in terms of results, with Lawson its best car in seventh place. Verstappen admitted “a disappointing weekend” in terms of pace, with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes all out of reach, but was not surprised by this situation. “I want more, but we have to be realistic this season,” insisted the Red Bull driver. “We are the fourth fastest team, so it’s not like walking to Zandvoort and suddenly we can do some magical things. “That’s the way it is, other teams have brought improvements, we haven’t. When you’re already defensive, that makes you even more defensive. So, there is nothing surprising, it is simply the reality we live in.” Verstappen will now focus on resting for the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks: “I just don’t feel good. I’m looking forward to a break where I can recover as well, because I’m really not feeling well.” Also read: We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motorsport.com? Take our 5-minute survey. – The Motorsport.com team
