Max Verstappen hopes to ‘make the best’ of Belgian GP despite ten-place grid penalty

Max Verstappen is in a high stakes championship fight with McLaren's Lando Norris.

Max Verstappen hopes to ‘make the best’ of Belgian GP despite ten-place grid penalty

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most picturesque tracks in F1. Moreover, the 7.004 km track is also the favorite of the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen. Despite the Dutchman’s fondness, the Belgian GP has emerged as a spanner in the works for the Red Bull driver as he is set to take a 10-place grid penalty for the race on Sunday and has claimed he hopes to make the best out of the 44-lap race.

This is not the first time that Max Verstappen has taken a grid penalty at the historic Belgian track. In 2022, the Dutchman started on the seventh row of the grid and went on to take a dominant victory. However, as the times have changed, the competitiveness of the F1 field has increased significantly, which makes the grid penalty a harsher one than taken in 2022.

YouTube video

Despite multiple factors plotting against Verstappen’s resurgence, the 26-year-old envisions making the best out of the Grand Prix weekend.

FS Video
The last few races we have not been the fastest team. I wouldn't say with a 10-place penalty that victory is in it, but a race can always turn upside down. So you have to go into it with an open mind and try to make the best of it. That is what we are going for, although I don't know how competitive we will be.
Max Verstappen said in an interview with RacingNews365

The triple champion admitted that Red Bull has not been the fastest car anymore. On the other hand, McLaren seems to be in mega form, which would rub further salt in his wounds. Thus, Verstappen is entering the weekend with an open mind and is emphasizing limiting the damage and extracting the best result from the prevailing circumstances.

RELATED
Max Verstappen tells critics to ‘turn volume down’ of his radio messages over Hungarian GP criticism
Max Verstappen

Could weather hamper Max Verstappen’s progress in the Belgian GP?

While Red Bull is known for its drag-efficient car, this advantage diminishes in changing weather conditions. Moreover, the weekend in Belgium is predicted to be rain-affected, which might throw the Milton Keynes-based squad into further problems.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, elmut Marko and Christian Horner
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (Via: Imago)

Verstappen revealed the tough circumstances of the Belgian GP weekend.

The asphalt has been renewed in a few places, so we have to see how the tyres respond to that. A lot is uncertain, including the weather. Rain is predicted on Friday and Saturday, so we have to follow the weather and make progress over the weekend. Then we will see how competitive we are in normal conditions.
Max Verstappen said in an interview with RacingNews365

The reigning champion acknowledged that the tarmac was renewed in some parts of the track, which would result in lower grip through such sections. On the other hand, with rain lurking around, it will result in an ever-evolving track disallowing Verstappen to get in a groove easily.

Apart from this, the Dutchman cannot anticipate Sergio Perez to take points away from the McLarens, as the Mexican has been on a rough form. Thus, the former will have to make huge strides to potentially limit the points conceded to his rivals over the weekend.

In case you missed it: