Verstappen: 'Harder' for Red Bull to dominate at Zandvoort

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Local hero Max Verstappen heads into his home race next weekend as the grand favourite after his crushing win in Spa, but the Red Bull charger expects to have a "harder" time at Zandvoort.

Despite a start from a lowly P14 last Sunday due to an engine-related grid penalty, Verstappen advanced up the pecking order in short order and established himself at the front of the field after just eleven laps, the Dutchman never looking back thereafter.

The reigning world champion's triumph in Belgium was not only one of the most dominant displays in recent history in F1, it also went a long way towards reducing Verstappen's run to a second consecutive world title to a mere formality.

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However, that will be no reason for the 24-year-old to relent, and especially not on his home turf next weekend where he expects Ferrari to challenge his hegemony.

"After the successful weekend we’ve had in Spa, I’m really looking forward to the Dutch GP," Verstappen said in his team's race preview.

"There’s a lot more downforce required at the track in Zandvoort so it will be harder for us to be dominant, I expect Ferrari to be strong there.

"I of course want a good result but it's important to always score points, lets hope we can do a good job.

"It will be great to have my family there supporting me, I’m just going to enjoy the weekend with all the fans, it’s going to be pretty crazy."

Statistically, Red Bull's current run of podium finishes in 13 consecutive races is the team's longest streak since the beginning of F1's hybrid era in 2014.

While Verstappen hopes to extend that remarkable number, if not Red Bull can count on his teammate Sergio Perez to pick up the baton.

"It’s a good track here, it’s very challenging and we hope to keep the momentum we had in Belgium," said Perez who finished runner-up to Verstappen in Spa.

"We will analyse everything from Belgium as a Team to see where we can get closer to Max, I want to make sure we can come back stronger.

"I have work to do and want to keep pushing, I think this circuit will pull us all closer together so it’s going to be an exciting weekend."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.