Max Verstappen needs a home win to end losing streak

ZANDVOORT – It is uncommon that Formula One fans do not see Max Verstappen on the top of the podium for consecutive races, but that is exactly what is happening to the three-time world champion this season.

Mercedes have won three of the last four grands prix and Red Bull’s Verstappen, who still leads McLaren’s Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship by 78 points with 10 rounds remaining, has not won since Spain in June.

In fact, he has had only one podium appearance since his triumph in Barcelona, finishing runner-up to Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix in July.

The 26-year-old has won every Dutch Grand Prix from pole position since his home race returned to the Formula One calendar in 2021, although he faces a tough test this weekend because of his poor form.

Zandvoort has become a seaside party for Verstappen’s revved-up Orange Army, but this time he is on his longest losing streak – four – in four years.

The race on Aug 25 will be the Dutchman’s 200th start in Formula One, making him the youngest driver to reach that milestone, and he wants to make it even more memorable by breaking his drought.

“It is always a fantastic atmosphere, and the fans are incredible, so it is a special one for me,” Verstappen said, declaring himself refreshed and ready for the second half of the season after the August break.

“We are looking forward to the week ahead and hopefully we can be fighting for the win.”

Red Bull would desperately need a win to stop their rivals from closing the gap.

As it stands, they lead the constructors’ standings on 408 points, ahead of McLaren (366), Ferrari (345) and Mercedes (266) – the latter gaining momentum because of their latest victories.

Verstappen’s Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, the only driver from the top four teams yet to win this season, has a new race engineer with regular Hugh Bird going on paternity leave and Richard Wood standing in.

“I know what we can extract from the car in the coming weeks and we will do our best to maximise the second half of 2024,” said Perez, whose poor form has also put the team at risk in the constructors’ standings.

McLaren are only 42 points adrift, with Australian Oscar Piastri taking a win and two second-place finishes from his last four races, while British teammate Norris remains second overall despite costly mistakes.

Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton has won two of the last three, after teammate George Russell was disqualified from first in Belgium just before the break.

The 39-year-old Ferrari-bound Briton has scored more points than any driver in the last four races but is 127 behind Verstappen.

“We know we have ground to make up. We are not yet able to compete for victories at every grand prix,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff cautioned.

“We have made good steps in improving the W15’s weaknesses though and will continue to work hard to take more.

“If we can do so, then we will close the gap to those ahead in both championships.”

Ferrari’s campaign may be firing up again too, with Monaco winner Charles Leclerc on pole again in Belgium and finishing third after fourth place in Hungary.

With a home race at Monza immediately after Zandvoort, the Ferrari fans will be looking for positive signs.

Further back, Renault-owned Alpine will mark a year since their last podium appearance and with a new team boss – Oliver Oakes – making his debut as a replacement for Bruno Famin. REUTERS