Red Bull showed improved pace during the Dutch Grand Prix compared to previous weekends, with Max Verstappen qualifying third and finishing second after Lando Norris retired due to engine failure. Despite the seemingly positive outcome, Verstappen expressed dissatisfaction with the car’s performance, indicating that enhancements are necessary. Helmut Marko also commented on the team’s underwhelming performance at Zandvoort, highlighting concerns about their competitiveness.
Early in the race, Verstappen overtook Lando Norris to claim second place and maintained it for several laps. However, McLaren proved superior, and Verstappen struggled to hold his position as the Dutchman acknowledged that the team lacked the pace needed to consistently compete for the drivers’ championship, which has become a distant goal for him.
Helmut Marko Highlights Red Bull’s Lack of Race Pace Against McLaren
Had it not been for Norris’ engine failure, Verstappen would have finished third behind the McLaren drivers. Marko described Verstappen’s second place as somewhat fortunate and took the opportunity to stress the significant gap in pace between Red Bull and McLaren during the race. The Austrian emphasized that Red Bull never looked like the favorite to win on their home turf, as McLaren managed to pull away by almost a second per lap when pushing hard.
“Surprising, It came about in a fortunate way, but still.”
— Helmut Marko, Advisor at Red Bull
“The difference with McLaren in the race was huge. When they wanted to, they were driving away at a second a lap. That shows we still have a lot of work to do.”
— Helmut Marko, Advisor at Red Bull
Marko’s observations underline the urgent need for technical improvements if Red Bull intends to return to its dominant form in the Formula 1 season.
Verstappen Admits Dutch GP Was Not a Real Battle Against McLaren
Throughout the race, Verstappen struggled to defend second position and was unable to challenge Oscar Piastri for the lead during the safety car restart near the end. He candidly addressed the gulf in pace during a post-race interview, acknowledging how distant Red Bull was from contesting victory at Zandvoort.
“To be honest with you.. I of course tried it in lap 1, and I quickly realized our fight was not with McLaren.. I was secretly hoping for a little bit more.”
— Max Verstappen, Red Bull Driver
Verstappen described his early attempts to gain positions, but soon recognized that McLaren’s pace was simply too strong. Despite this, he admitted to quietly hoping the car could deliver a little more speed to challenge his rivals.
Championship Outlook After Dutch GP Struggles
With only nine races left in the 2025 season, Verstappen faces a daunting task in the drivers’ standings, trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 104 points. The Dutch driver’s chances of winning the title have significantly diminished, yet he remains determined to push hard and aim to overtake Lando Norris for second place by season’s end.
Red Bull’s performance at Zandvoort serves as a stark reminder of how much work remains if they want to reestablish their supremacy. The team must address the pace deficit revealed by McLaren’s dominance to keep Verstappen in contention during the final stages of the championship.
