Starting position three for Max Verstappen, at least his compatriots hope for a coup of the four -time world champion at home. Read the answers to the most important questions before the race in the dunes of Zandvoort. McLaren is offering the next showdown? Oscar Piatri has the best chance to expand his leadership in the world driver’s world championship (nine points) in front of the teammate Lando Norris. He is in pole position. A little surprise. Because Norris dominated in the first, second and third training session, even in the race for the starting point long before Piatri drove faster in the third round: 0.012 seconds. Both did not speak of luck afterwards. Piatri was rewarded for an increase in performance, Norris blamed a gust in the first curve. Norris is under greater pressure. If he wants to win on his own, he will have to pass the younger one quickly – preferably on the way to the first curve called Tarzan. Even if that does not run, it could be very exciting. Will McLaren let his two pilots drive freely against each other again as in Hungary? And who would benefit from the better strategy if the course of the race is forced to change through unpredictable events? But the Dutchman’s first answer pointed to the rear view mirror at his gaze. He wants to keep Mercedes with George Russell (5th) and the Ferrari pilots Charles Leclerc (6th) and Lewis Hamilton (7th) behind him. The gap of 0.263 seconds behind Piatri is only considered a small approach to a round when sprint. McLaren seems to be clearly superior in the continuous run because of the tire conservation. Red Bull’s sports director Helmut Marko relies on Verstappen’s ability to be able to intelligently protect the rubber and yet stay in striking distance. Because the narrow, winding course with a mix of “fast” and “slow” curves offers little overtaking opportunities, Verstappen will try and attack his luck at the start. He no longer has to take his chances of title if you believe him. He considers the topic to be done in view of 97 points. This applies to the competition behind him anyway. Who is the surprise guest who left Mercedes and Ferrari behind? A nice surprise for Red Bull. In this sentence there is irony. Where did Verstappen’s team -mate Yuki Tsunoda land? In twelve. Now that the young Frenchman in the daughter team Racing Bull’s car almost appeared at the level of Verstappen, a knowledge is urged: The Formula 1 novice impressively applied for the succession of Tsunoda at Red Bull, for a promotion. Hadjar’s best qualification result is no coincidence, rather an expression of his relatively constant high level. However, the car does not seem to be good enough for a big surprise through the Grand Prix distance, but the twenty-year-old is sufficiently strong for a rapid climbing. More on the topic of the rule of the World Association? The International Automobile Association (FIA) sometimes wants to increase the excitement in coordination with the teams. During the race in Zandvoort, a maximum pituitary speed of 80 kilometers per hour (instead of 60) is allowed. This is intended to tempt the race stables to two instead of a pit stop. At first glance, that would mix up the field, create space for tactical games, maybe turn some things upside down in a safety car phase. But the teams don’t seem convinced. They gave too little time. And two stops usually lead to a relapse in dense, braking traffic. Where is Nico Hülkenberg? As 17th, the only German driver in the field has no nice views in Zandvoort. Again, he found the “rhythm” in the clean that he needs to get over the rounds brilliantly. Amazing is less the basic problem, the weakness of his racing car in Zandvoort. Hülkenberg was again beaten by his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto (13th). In the qualification duel it is 9: 6 for the Brazilian. As long as the two drive after more or less hopelessly, these statistics play a subordinate role. Hülkenberg could rinse forward alone. It should come – after the race.
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