Verstappen and Red Bull Struggle at Zandvoort

Max Verstappen expressed uncertainty regarding Red Bull's performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, acknowledging that the team has "no clear answer" on how to enhance their pace after a challenging Friday practice session. Despite his previous successes at Zandvoort, where he has won three times, Verstappen could only manage a fifth-place finish in the second practice, trailing behind competitors from Mercedes and McLaren, with George Russell clocking the fastest time. McLaren's Lando Norris, who finished just 0.025 seconds ahead of Verstappen, remains optimistic about his team's performance. His confidence is bolstered by teammate Oscar Piastri's impressive showing, which was two-tenths quicker than Verstappen's time. Norris noted that while the car feels more responsive, he is unsure if they are truly in contention for a win, though he is pleased to be competing within the top five. The McLaren team is aware of the challenges posed by Zandvoort's long corners, which have historically been a weak point for them. They emphasized the importance of both cars being on track to gather data and improve their setup, especially as they prepare for a condensed schedule that resembles a Sprint weekend, with only one practice session before qualifying. As the Formula 1 season resumes after the summer break, all eyes will be on the Dutch Grand Prix, with teams eager to refine their strategies and performance ahead of the race on Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.