The reigning champion is facing a penalty at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, but he doesn’t anticipate winning like he did in 2022 and 2023.
Max Verstappen hasn’t ruled out competing for victory at the 2024 Belgian GP as he gets ready for his first engine penalty of the season at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in his battle for the title against McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The Dutch driver incurred penalties in 2022 and 2023 but still managed to come out on top. However, he believes that achieving the same level of success in 2024 won’t be possible due to the narrowing performance gap caused by the ground effect regulations.
Verstappen is expected to receive a 10-place penalty for installing a new Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) in his Red Bull car. This means that he faces a difficult challenge in outperforming the McLarens, Ferraris, and Mercedes cars to secure his first victory since the Spanish GP over a month ago.
Verstappen acknowledged the likelihood of the engine penalty, stating that he was aware it was coming. He expressed uncertainty about how the penalty would affect his performance, as certain tracks are more favorable than others. While he doesn’t believe that the penalty will significantly improve his chances of winning, he remains optimistic about the possibility of unexpected events turning the race in his favor.
When asked about his expectations for the race, Verstappen expressed hope for a better outcome than 8th place but admitted that it’s difficult to predict at the moment.
In the previous two seasons, Red Bull’s success was attributed to their highly adaptable cars designed by Adrian Newey. These cars boasted exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, allowing for high cornering speeds without sacrificing speed due to drag. Another crucial factor was their ability to handle kerbs, bumps, and porpoising, providing the drivers with a solid foundation to build their race weekends upon.
However, the 2024 season presents a different challenge. The Red Bull car appears to struggle with kerbs and lacks effective tire management, both of which Verstappen believes could hinder the team’s performance.
Verstappen also highlighted the presence of new tarmac at certain sections of the track, which adds another unknown to the equation. The team will have to assess how the tires respond to the new surface. Additionally, the unpredictable weather, with significant rain expected on Friday and Saturday, further complicates the situation. Verstappen emphasized the need to closely monitor the weather conditions and the team’s progress throughout the weekend to gauge their competitiveness under normal circumstances.
