Verstappen questions proposed Red Bull strategy

Max Verstappen has suggested he is on the backfoot for the Belgian Grand Prix due to a tyre disadvantage compared to his rivals.

Verstappen's run plan throughout practice has left him with just one fresh set of Hard C1 tyres for the race, while both drivers at McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari have two sets available.

Pirelli has forecast a two-stop strategy is the fastest route to the chequered flag, opening with a run on the Mediums before a double stint on the Hard tyre.

Verstappen will start the race from 11th on the grid after taking a new internal combustion for the race weekend.

When asked by media including RacingNews365 what his strategic approach will be, Verstappen said: “Survive lap one and just go from there. 

“I mean, we also have a bit of a different tyre strategy to the other cars, so we have to wait and see how that will evolve in the race.

“We'll see what we can do. I mean, I'm not as confident as I was the last two years around here in coming back to the front. 

“I still see it more as a damage limitation race. That's how it is. But at least today was the best possible we could do in terms of the starting position for tomorrow.”

Verstappen expecting strong McLaren form

Red Bull's closest challenger of late has been McLaren, who qualified in fifth and sixth with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri respectively.

However, the team has confirmed it compromised its set-up to favour the dry conditions that are expected for the grand prix, rather than the wet conditions in play during qualifying.

“Looking at their pace [from Friday] in the long run, it's incredibly strong,” Verstappen said of McLaren. 

“They look very comfortable out there. Of course, they are starting a little bit further back, I think they're so fast they will quite quickly challenge for the front, for the lead. 

“And it also depends a bit, of course, how I get through lap one and stuff. But I would already be happy if we can match that race pace. So starting a bit further back, also being on different tyres, I don't know how that is going to work out. 

“Most teams around us have two hard tyres, we don't. I don't know if that's better or not, of course, for the moment, but we'll find out tomorrow. It's definitely still a damage limitation.”