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Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen calls for Red Bull review after 'weird' qualifying

Max Verstappen failed to take the fight to McLaren in qualifying, but Red Bull has taken precautions ahead of forecast wet weather on Sunday in Spa.

Max Verstappen Belgium
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To news overview © Red Bull Content Pool

Max Verstappen called for Red Bull to review his higher downforce setup, following a "weird" qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix. 

In anticipation of heavy rain for the grand prix, the Milton Keynes-based outfit increased the downforce level on Verstappen's RB21 after running a thin rear wing in the sprint sessions. 

As a result, it slowed the Dutchman compared to the McLarens, with Verstappen having found himself in fourth. 

Charles Leclerc pipped the 27-year-old to third, as a result of the reigning world champion having lacked feeling in the car.

"I was actually hoping it would help the driving feeling, just maybe a bit draggy" Verstappen told Sky F1, discussing the higher downforce setup. 

"But it didn't do that. It just was a bit more draggy and not the right balance. So, yeah, it's a bit weird, something, of course, that we need to look into.  

"I felt like the whole qualifying I couldn't really push, and around here at Spa, you need to be committed on entry. You want the car to rotate. And I couldn't do that, basically."

Red Bull opted to make setup changes having been severely caught out by the wet weather in Silverstone, where Verstappen tumbled from pole to 10th. 

Verstappen urged caution on what is possible in the race, with him wary the level of rain needs to be discovered first.

"The wet around here, it's always very tricky," said Verstappen. "Also, we have to wait and see how much rain is going to fall. 

"So ideally, of course I would like to at least be P3, fighting them McLarens will be very hard. But yeah, anything can happen."

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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they dissect a crazy Saturday in Spa-Francorchamps!

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RESULTS 2025 F1 Belgian Grand Prix - Spa Qualifying