close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Max Verstappen

Verstappen sets podium target after Belgian GP grid drop

Max Verstappen — Photo: © LAT Images
2 reacties

Verstappen sets podium target after Belgian GP grid drop

Verstappen was fastest in qualifying but will start 15th on Sunday

Max Verstappen has set the target of a podium in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix after a grid penalty will see him drop from first to 15th.

The championship leader is one of five drivers to have been handed a back-of-the-grid penalty at Spa Francorchamps for taking power unit components beyond the prescribed limit.

But this did not deter him in qualifying as he put in a session-topping one-minute 43.665secs to beat Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz by 0.632s.

Now aware he will start from 15th, Red Bull driver Verstappen remains confident of his ability to collect some silverware in the grand prix.

"We need to move forward, especially with a car like this it would be a shame not to be on the podium," said Verstappen.

The Dutchman will line up alongside championship rival Charles Leclerc after the Monégasque ended qualifying fourth but with an identical penalty.

Reflecting on his weekend thus far, Verstappen added: "It was an amazing qualifying but I think already the whole weekend we have been on it.

"The car has been working really well and it just came down to trying to fine-tune it and it all came together in qualifying.

"Of course, I had to be a bit careful with the amount of tyres that I was using also looking for tomorrow, starting at the back. But I'm very happy with my lap."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

'Disrespectful': Max Verstappen told to stop punching down in F1 criticism

'Disrespectful': Max Verstappen told to stop punching down in F1 criticism

  • 22 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Aston Martin to swap drivers as team handed FIA lifeline

F1 News Today: Aston Martin to swap drivers as team handed FIA lifeline

  • 1 hour ago
Max Verstappen struck by Daniel Ricciardo curse

Max Verstappen struck by Daniel Ricciardo curse

  • Yesterday 22:42
Lewis Hamilton spends time with Kim Kardashian and her son ahead of Japanese GP

Lewis Hamilton spends time with Kim Kardashian and her son ahead of Japanese GP

  • Yesterday 21:55
Ferrari would have 'destroyed' Mercedes F1 star

Ferrari would have 'destroyed' Mercedes F1 star

  • Yesterday 20:54
Max Verstappen announces 'natural next step' away from F1

Max Verstappen announces 'natural next step' away from F1

  • Yesterday 19:51

Just in

08:27
'Disrespectful': Max Verstappen told to stop punching down in F1 criticism
06:56
F1 News Today: Aston Martin to swap drivers as team handed FIA lifeline
23-3
Max Verstappen struck by Daniel Ricciardo curse
23-3
Lewis Hamilton spends time with Kim Kardashian and her son ahead of Japanese GP
23-3
Ferrari would have 'destroyed' Mercedes F1 star
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

'Disrespectful': Max Verstappen told to stop punching down in F1 criticism F1 News & Gossip

'Disrespectful': Max Verstappen told to stop punching down in F1 criticism

22 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Aston Martin to swap drivers as team handed FIA lifeline F1 News Today

F1 News Today: Aston Martin to swap drivers as team handed FIA lifeline

1 hour ago
Max Verstappen struck by Daniel Ricciardo curse F1 Social

Max Verstappen struck by Daniel Ricciardo curse

Yesterday 22:42
Lewis Hamilton spends time with Kim Kardashian and her son ahead of Japanese GP F1 News & Gossip

Lewis Hamilton spends time with Kim Kardashian and her son ahead of Japanese GP

Yesterday 21:55
Ontdek het op Google Play
x