Hold onto your hats, race fans! Max Verstappen might be starting from 11th place in the Belgian Grand Prix, but don’t count him out just yet.
McLaren’s boss, Andrea Stella, is keeping a close eye on Verstappen. He believes the Dutch driver is still the top contender to win his fourth consecutive Belgian Grand Prix, despite an engine penalty.
Verstappen received a 10-place grid penalty for taking his fifth Honda combustion engine this season. Interestingly, Red Bull has taken engine penalties at Spa for the last three years, making the most of the track’s overtaking opportunities.
Last year, Verstappen started sixth and still clinched the victory. This year, it’s going to be tougher. McLaren is putting up a strong fight, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showing great pace in practice sessions.
Norris mentioned that Verstappen has been the fastest all weekend. Even in Friday’s practice, Verstappen didn’t use his engine’s full power, yet Norris and Piastri were only two-tenths ahead. “He’s clearly been quickest,” Norris noted.
Friday’s practice showed that Red Bull might have issues with tire degradation, giving McLaren a potential edge. Norris and Piastri are starting fourth and fifth, just behind leader Charles Leclerc and second-placed Sergio Perez.
Norris also pointed out that defensive driving from Perez and aggressive moves from Hamilton, who starts third, could shake things up. “We need to make the tires last better than Hamilton,” Norris emphasized. The race strategy will be crucial.
With Red Bull not showing their full hand in practice, everyone is curious how the race will unfold. But Stella remains cautious. “Max is definitely a threat,” he said, highlighting Verstappen’s speed in both dry and wet conditions. “So, he remains the favorite for the victory, even if he starts outside the first 10.”
As the race day approaches, McLaren remains cautious but hopeful. Verstappen may have a grid penalty, but his past performances and driving skills keep him in the spotlight. The Belgian Grand Prix is shaping up to be an exciting battle, and fans can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
