Max Verstappen admitted that Red Bull’s gamble in qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps cost him a shot at pole position, despite claiming victory in the Sprint race. The Dutchman revealed that the team attempted an experimental approach on his final run, but it failed to deliver the expected results. Although Red Bull’s low-downforce rear wing worked perfectly in the Sprint, helping Verstappen overtake Oscar Piastri on the opening lap, the same confidence didn’t translate to the standard qualifying session.
Red Bull’s setup choice paid off handsomely during the Sprint. The slimmer rear wing gave Verstappen a straight-line speed advantage over McLaren, allowing him to defend his position with precision throughout the race. Even though McLaren appeared to have the faster car overall, Verstappen managed his pace expertly to take the win. However, when qualifying came, he was unable to match McLaren’s times and was even outqualified by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Reflecting on his Q3 struggles, Verstappen admitted that he could not find the necessary grip on his first run, which hindered his usual progressive improvement. On his final attempt, the new setup backfired immediately, causing excessive wheelspin as soon as he accelerated. The issue persisted through Turn 1 and up to fourth gear, costing him around two-tenths of a second early in the lap. Despite this, Verstappen noted that the car’s overall balance still felt acceptable, even if it was not ideal for pushing to the limit at Spa.
The reigning world champion expressed some frustration with the car’s balance, admitting it was still not where he wanted it to be to properly attack the circuit’s high-speed corners. Although he accepted that finishing third on the grid was still possible, Verstappen was clear that the adjustments Red Bull made were not the right call for qualifying. He hopes the team can refine the car’s handling for the race.
Looking ahead to the Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen stated he preferred dry conditions, as McLaren’s MCL39 gains a greater advantage in the wet. According to him, McLaren’s strong tyre management, particularly with intermediates, gives them better control over overheating in rain-affected races. “In the wet, they are even stronger than in the dry,” Verstappen admitted, making clear that his primary target for the race would be at least a third-place finish.
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