Max Verstappen expects difficult homecoming at Dutch GP as F1 returns after break

Defending champion ready for a fight at Zandvoort as rivals close in

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen at the Zandvoort Circuit ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. AFP

Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen said on Thursday he is less confident about his chances in his home Dutch Grand Prix this time compared to last year after a less than satisfactory build-up.

Verstappen has never lost in front of his home fans since Zandvoort returned to the F1 circuit in 2021, dominating the drivers' championship last year with 19 Grand Prix victories.

But after a strong start this season, the Red Bull driver has failed to win the last four Grands Prix and said the feeling was very different coming into Sunday's battle than in 2023.

"Let's just say that last year coming here, I was a lot more confident that we had a big chance of winning the race," Verstappen said on F1's return following a month off for the summer break.

"But that's how the season is already, you know. It's a lot more competitive."

With 10 races left, Verstappen enjoys a 78-point advantage over his closest rival Lando Norris of McLaren, but is looking nervously over his shoulder as his rivals make up ground.

"Lately, you see there are a lot of cars actually winning races and drivers, of course. So, it's just very unknown. I mean, it's very close," he said.

"So for sure, I'm not coming into this weekend saying that, 'yeah, we're going to win the race'. I just want to have a clean weekend, understand the car a bit more, learn from it," he said.

Verstappen will be participating in his 200th GP on Sunday and suggested he was more than halfway through his career at the age of 26.

Asked if he thought he would feature in another 200 races, he replied: "No. Nice and easy. So we've passed halfway, for sure."

However, he said he was not looking currently beyond the end of his contract with Red Bull in 2028.

"There's a lot of time to decide what happens. So, I just keep everything open. I'm quite easy-going about it."

Among the challengers for Verstappen is Mercedes' seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has won two of the last three races.

The 39-year-old Ferrari-bound Briton has scored more points than any driver in the last four races but is 127 behind Verstappen.

"We know we have ground to make up. We are not yet able to compete for victories at every Grand Prix," team principal Toto Wolff cautioned.

"We have made good steps in improving the W15's weaknesses though and will continue to work hard to take more. If we can do so, then we will close the gap to those ahead in both championships."

Meanwhile, Alex Albon welcomed the challenge of having Carlos Sainz as his Williams teammate next season and said he hoped they could lift the former champions back up the pecking order.

Sainz is leaving Ferrari to make way for incoming seven-times world champion Hamilton and his move to Williams was announced as the sport headed into the August break.

"It will be a challenge of course, I think Carlos is very highly regarded, I welcome it," Albon said on Thursday. "It's great to have that competition and I enjoy that ... we'll be able to learn from each other."

Albon said Williams will be a different environment for the Spaniard, with an emphasis on improving the car and working collectively.

Williams are ninth of the 10 teams, with only four points from 14 races – all scored by Albon whose American team mate Logan Sargeant will be leaving at the end of the year.

"We'll push each other hard," he said of Sainz. "Especially interested to see what his feedback is. You kind of have a lot of things that you want to try and change, things which he will have found over his time with the new generation of cars that he can bring over to Williams."