As Max Verstappen readies himself for his home Grand Prix at Zandvoort, he’s not only aiming for a record-equalling ninth consecutive win this season, but he’s also keeping a watchful eye on the area’s fickle weather forecast.
The dominant Red Bull driver, holding a commanding 125-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez in the Drivers’ standings, acknowledges the potential for “temperamental” conditions that could make the event a soggy affair.
With his sights set on what seems to be an inevitable third world title, the 25-year-old Verstappen could potentially clinch the championship even before the culmination of F1’s 2023 campaign, possibly as early as the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Verstappen’s stronghold on his home turf remains unassailable, as he has never been bested at Zandvoort since F1’s return to the iconic track in 2021.
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His unbeaten streak extends to both qualifying and race day. Expressing his excitement about returning to the track, Verstappen mentioned, “It’s an amazing track and of course, the fans are incredible there, so I’m definitely excited to get back on track.”
Addressing the unpredictable weather forecasts for the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen’s demeanour remains unflappable, emphasising his readiness for whatever conditions arise.
He affirmed, “It looks like the weather could be temperamental there but I don’t mind either way, wet or dry, we’ll do our best to make sure we score maximum points.”
While Verstappen prepares to maintain his impeccable home record, his teammate Sergio Perez also gears up for the challenge.
Coming off a revitalising break, Perez has his eyes set on building on his second-place finish in Belgium.
The Mexican driver, who spent time with his engineers at the factory, expressed his eagerness to continue his podium streak.
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“I want to pick up where I left off in Spa and be consistently on the podium and challenging for the remainder of the season,” Perez commented.
Acknowledging the complexity of the upcoming race at Zandvoort, he recognised the tightening competition in the field but conveyed his team’s relentless commitment to pushing forward.
Regardless of the capricious weather conditions, Perez stressed their determination to secure a strong result.