Max Verstappen admits it was ‘really difficult’ to move up places at Belgian GP after starting P11

Max Verstappen revealed that he got stuck in a DRS train for the majority of the Belgian GP as he finished in fifth place.

Max Verstappen admits it was ‘really difficult’ to move up places at Belgian GP after starting P11

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bull were prepared to have a challenging outing at the Belgian GP this weekend. Max Verstappen was set to receive a ten-place grid penalty for using a new Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). Nevertheless, the Dutch driver drove a decent race to salvage some crucial points for the championship. Verstappen shed light onto his run after the race.

The three-time world champion claimed that the Belgian GP was not too bad for him this weekend. However, Max Verstappen highlighted that it was rather difficult to make overtakes. Subsequently, the Dutch driver got stuck in a DRS train for the majority of the race after staying clear of any incidents on the first lap.

The race itself is not too bad, it was just very difficult to pass, stayed out of trouble luckily in the first laps and then got into a DRS train and stayed there.
Max Verstappen told F1 TV
YouTube video

Max Verstappen revealed that Red Bull tried an undercut against its rivals during the race. Although, Verstappen pinpointed that the the 2024 cars are similar in pace which makes it really difficult for drivers to move up the pecking order. As such, the reigning world champion could only finish in fifth place despite showing encouraging signs early on.

FS Video
We tried to do an undercut which is done quite well, the cars are all very similar in pace, it's just really difficult to move up.
Max Verstappen explained
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Max Verstappen feels ‘positive’ for Drivers’ Championship despite fourth winless race in a row

Max Verstappen has now gone four races without a victory, first time in the ground-effect era. However, the Dutch driver remains confident over his title prospects this year. Verstappen highlighted that the Belgian GP remained a positive race in terms of the championship battle. As the reigning world champion grabbed ten crucial points.

Looking at the championship I think it's a positive day for me.
Max Verstappen said
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The Dutch driver admitted that it is no longer realistic for Red Bull to think that he can get back to the front from P11 in a race. Max Verstappen claimed that those days have passed for Milton Keynes as rivals fight for wins every race. 

With our pace in the last few races, it's not realistic to think we can go from P11 all the way to the front again. Those days are behind us unfortunately.
Max Verstappen stated

Verstappen and Red Bull might be content with the damage recovery done at Spa-Francorchamps. However, it is clear that the Austrian team needs to bounce back and win races once again. Milton Keynes has a lot of work to do if Max Verstappen wants to secure his fourth consecutive world title this season.

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