McLaren boss misjudges Verstappen race advantage – McLaren locked out the front row for the Dutch Grand Prix as expected, but the story of qualifying was more nuanced than the headlines suggested. Oscar Piastri claimed pole position with a decisive lap in Q3, overturning the trend of Lando Norris leading the way in every practice session. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen kept the margin much tighter than anticipated, securing third just two tenths back after McLaren had looked nearly a second clear in final practice.
For Red Bull, the result offered a glimmer of hope. “This morning we were still eight tenths behind McLaren and now it’s only two tenths,” Helmut Marko told Motorsport.com. “On used tyres we’re even closer, so I think we’re in a position to make McLaren nervous on Sunday.”
Verstappen himself was more measured, warning that holding onto third could prove difficult. “Our race pace has not been the best compared to qualifying. I just hope that at least we can keep the guys behind us literally behind us in the race.”
Stella wary of Verstappen’s “weapon”
Since revealing he will remain at Red Bull Racing, Verstappen has also conceded his world title will go to one of the McLaren drivers this season, and his demeanour has been somewhat more relaxed than when he has been in the heat of a competitive battle.
Despite Verstappen downplaying his chances, McLaren boss Andrea Stella is refusing to assume his team’s drivers will only be fighting each other. “We have Lando, we have Oscar, and we have Max Verstappen,” he explained. “The first thing we have to do, in the interest of the team and in the interest of Lando and Oscar, is to make sure that we beat Max, who is not very far.”
Stella highlighted that strategy could once again play a major role. Verstappen has an unused set of soft tyres available, which could provide him with an option to attack at a critical moment. “It could be a powerful weapon if deployed at the right time,” Stella suggested.
Norris and Piastri’s F1 Title Duel Echoes Bitter Hamilton–Rosberg Feud
Marko dismisses soft tyre advantage
The question is how useful that extra set of softs will be. Pirelli and Red Bull alike expect Zandvoort to favour a one-stop strategy using the harder compounds. Marko said earlier in the weekend that “the harder the compound, the better we are,” pointing to a medium-hard race as the likeliest plan.
Verstappen backed this up in practice two, when his fastest time on the hard tyre was equal and better than many in the field when on the medium. Pirelli’s Mario Isola confirmed the logic, suggesting a one-stop may be the safest option given overtaking difficulty. Still, he acknowledged that Verstappen’s extra softs could prove valuable as a “joker” card if a late safety car or unexpected stint length opens a window. “If you need an extra stint, then you can use a soft at the end,” Isola explained.
That flexibility could help Red Bull avoid a repeat of Barcelona earlier in the year, when Verstappen was left with only a fresh set of hards under a late safety car. Forced to take them, he lost ground and vented his frustration in a clash with George Russell. This time, at least, Red Bull has a different lever to pull if the race demands improvisation.
Wolff’s 400kph 2026 claim sparks mixed paddock reaction
Strategy roulette bit in Hungary
So, McLaren reign supreme again, but Verstappen lurks like a party guest who swore he was leaving an hour ago and is now rifling through the fridge. Marko insists Red Bull can “make McLaren nervous,” although this feels a little like claiming you can unsettle a tiger with a stern look. Still, there is mischief in that extra set of softs. Red Bull’s joker card may not win the hand, but it could certainly stir up chaos.
As for McLaren, Stella’s caution betrays the fact that Budapest is still fresh in his mind. Norris and Piastri may be the fastest duo in Formula One, but strategy roulette has already bitten them once this season. Verstappen’s presence, even at two tenths back, ensures that Sunday could become a three-way chess match rather than a straightforward papaya duel.
And somewhere in all of this, Pirelli continues to explain why the tyres might last one stop, two stops, or something in between — proving once again that Formula One strategy is less about certainty and more about educated guesswork dressed in graphs.
Rain and safety cars expected
Yet Stella is worrying about nothing despite the fact there have been four safety cars and two virtual safety cars in the last three editions of the race in the Netherlands. His drivers which favour the medium tyre this weekend have a spare set of fresh yellow side walled rubber which they would fit under any safety car conditions.
In fact Stella may be overplaying Verstappen’s “secret weapon” give the risk of wet weather being high for the scheduled time of the race. Pirelli boss Isola said after qualifying: “While the McLarens seem to have the edge over the rest of the field, their two drivers are separated by almost nothing, just 12 thousandths of a second in fact. It’s very close behind this pair, with the remaining 18 drivers all within the same second.
“Therefore, all the ingredients are in place to produce a closely contested, unpredictable race, with the changeable weather adding another unknown factor to the mix, as well as the possibility of Safety Cars always present on a track where mistakes are always punished.”
In an effort to aid Pirelli in their attempts to make the two stop strategy more attractive to the teams, the FIA have increased the speed limit in the pit lane by a third from 60-80kph. Whilst the pit lane is short in Zandvoort, the extra few seconds of time this will save could prove decisive even under a virtual safety car as the grand prix reaches its climax.
Zen master snaps: Albon loses his cool over Williams tyre chaos
Williams driver Alex Albon is regarded as one of the calmest and most measured competitors on the Formula One grid. But at the Dutch Grand Prix even the cool, calm, collected Anglo-Thai racer could not hide his irritation.
Albon will start Sunday’s race from 15th after a tyre temperature problem ruined his second run in Q2, scuppering what he believed was a clear chance of reaching the final qualifying segment. Having shown top-10 pace throughout practice, Albon argued that the Williams had the performance to join his teammate Carlos Sainz, who qualified ninth, in Q3.
The issue, according to Albon, stemmed from a costly pit lane delay that left him circulating on a compromised out-lap just as rivals began their push laps. By the time he began his crucial final attempt, his tyres were way below their operating window….. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
