Max after getting pole for the Dutch Grand Prix: 'I took full risks'

Published on 03 September 2022 by Mike Motilall

A thrilling qualifying in front of a mad crowd brought Max Verstappen on Circuit Zandvoort the pole for the Dutch Grand Prix. With a special helmet, as a tribute to his father Jos, the fans cheered him on as he crossed the line in first. A difference of two hundredths was enough for pole position.

“I enjoy racing here, the atmosphere is really great. Everyone is cheerful and having fun. It’s definitely a very special weekend for me”, says Max, who also seriously asks his fans to be prudent with the flares. “Those flares are nice, but there is a limit to how many. Throwing them on track is just stupid. It’s not good for anyone. You get thrown off the terrain and for us drivers it’s dangerous. Just don’t do it.”

“We were quick in qualifying but it never really showed”, says Max, as he explains: “We went out too early once and then Q2 was on scrubbed tyres. I was happy with Q3, there were also really fine margins.”

Max explains that his final run in Q3 was not entirely ideal: “Because during my outlap there was an extra car in front of me, so I had to slow down a bit too much in the first sector than I really wanted to and the tyres were not switched on when I started my flying lap. I managed to recover in the second sector and that was enough for pole. Then I took full risks.”

By using scrubbed tyres in Q2, Max managed to save an extra set of softs for the race. Looking ahead to the race, Max says: “Our long runs this morning looked good, I am happy with the car. Because we have an extra new set of tyres, that gives us a few more extra options, at least for ourselves.”

The race for the Dutch Grand Prix starts on Sunday at 15.00 hrs. local Dutch time.

Contest Dutch GP: win a 1:4 scale model Max Verstappen Dutch GP 2022 helmet!