Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has shed light on the crucial decision that ultimately hampered Max Verstappen’s performance during the Dutch Grand Prix, where he started from P2 but was unable to secure victory. Despite leading the race early on, Verstappen found himself outpaced by a substantial margin and had to settle for second place behind Lando Norris.
Verstappen’s strong start initially gave Red Bull optimism, as he quickly took the lead and built a gap that allowed him to break the DRS of the cars behind him. However, by lap five or six, Norris began closing the gap at a rapid pace, showcasing superior speed that put Verstappen under pressure. Horner acknowledged that while the team hoped Verstappen could maintain his lead, it became clear that Norris was in a different league in terms of pace.
Horner pointed out that one of the key factors contributing to Verstappen’s struggles was the decision to run a higher downforce setup on his RB20. The team believed the additional downforce would be beneficial, particularly given the challenging conditions at Zandvoort. However, as the race progressed, it became evident that the setup choice was a miscalculation. In contrast, Sergio Perez, who ran with less downforce, experienced a smoother race, particularly in the second half.
Verstappen himself commented on the difficulties he faced, explaining that while he initially focused on tire management and maintaining his lead, his car’s handling began to deteriorate. He described how the car stopped responding as expected, with issues in turning and overall responsiveness. This allowed Norris to close in and eventually overtake the Dutchman, leaving Verstappen unable to mount a successful defense.
The combination of the suboptimal downforce setup and the car’s handling issues led to Verstappen’s inability to challenge for the win. Despite these challenges, Verstappen managed to secure second place, a result that still pleased many fans given the circumstances.
Horner’s reflections on the race highlight how a single strategic decision can have a significant impact, even for a driver of Verstappen’s caliber. As the championship battle continues, Red Bull will undoubtedly take these lessons into account to optimize their performance in future races.
Photo from Christian Horner Instagram
