Verstappen fights against the end of two series in Spa

But one of the Dutchman's absolute favorite tracks is in Belgium, not far from his home. Verstappen has been undefeated on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for three years, and on the infamous circuit the growing frustration should give way to the usual feeling of victory.

The Belgian-born, three-time world champion was particularly noticeable last weekend as Rumpelstiltskin at the wheel. In an unusually harsh manner, Verstappen criticized his team on the pit radio for their strategy, and fifth place did not improve their mood. "Hungary was a difficult race and a weekend that you have to forget and look forward to," said Verstappen.

With a 76-point lead over Lando Norris, the world championship leader's nerves are not yet in danger. Verstappen is certainly used to victories, winning 19 of 22 races last year. This season, with seven winners so far, there have been more different ones than since 2012 (eight). On this sprint weekend, the last before the month-long summer break, Verstappen has a nice series to defend in half of his home race: the victory-hungry driver has not had to digest a streak of four races without a win since 2020.

Lando Norris is the world champion's first pursuer. © ANSA / OLIVIER MATTHYS

It will not be easy. Especially since Verstappen's car is likely to have a gearbox change, which would put him back on the starting grid as in the last two races in Spa. There has been no confirmation of media reports on this for now. What is certain, however, is that catching up will not be as easy as it was in 2023, given the renewed competition.

The young McLaren duo, including World Championship runner-up Norris and first-time winner Oscar Piastri, are aiming for the next coup after their one-two victory in Budapest. The bickering over the team order did dampen the mood within the team for a short time, but the prospect of the best McLaren result in Belgium for a very long time is likely to be the stronger driving force.

The high-speed track in Belgium has recently been "not the happiest hunting ground" for McLaren, as Piastri also knows. While Verstappen won in 2023, 2022 and 2021, the papaya orange-painted cars only managed a top-six result once during this period, when Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth in 2021. Norris, who like Verstappen has a Belgian mother, has not yet finished beyond seventh place (2023). The last podium finish was Jenson Button's victory in 2012. But the current strength gives confidence. "We have a car that has developed into a real all-rounder," said Piastri. "I am confident that we will be strong."

What’s coming from Mercedes and Ferrari? Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrated his 200th podium finish in Budapest and will compete with a disappointing George Russell in Hungary, where other challenges await. "With cooler temperatures and a faster layout, it will be interesting to see how the W15 performs," explained Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal. Ferrari, now third in the constructors' championship, 16 points behind McLaren, is relying on Charles Leclerc, who won at Spa in 2019.

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur hopes that the new update package will have a corresponding effect. The so-called porpoising effect, i.e. the "bouncing" of the cars, was less on the Hungaroring than recently. "We will see whether we have also resolved this on high-speed courses," said Vasseur.

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Verstappen fights against the end of two series in Spa

Red Bull Racing's dominance was once over, and the former dominator Max Verstappen has been winless in three Formula 1 races.

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