Max Verstappen offered a realistic assessment of Red Bull Racing’s competitive standing after qualifying 6th for the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint race. Playing host to his home crowd at Circuit Zandvoort, the local favorite acknowledged that while the team made progress from opening practice, the RB22 continues to lack the total grip of its direct rivals.
Red Bull endured a challenging start to the weekend, with both Verstappen and substitute teammate Liam Lawson finishing outside the top 10 during the sole practice session. While setup adjustments helped move Verstappen into SQ3, his best time of 1:12.094 left him 0.527s adrift of Sprint pole-sitter George Russell.
Fresh off Lewis Hamilton’s commentary regarding Verstappen’s Red Bull contract extension, the four-time World Champion addressed the performance gap facing the team in Zandvoort.
“We took a step forward compared to practice, but we are still a step behind the other teams. So it’s a matter of figuring out what is causing that loss and improving the balance of the car so that we have a bit more grip tomorrow,” Verstappen explained.
“It’s a bit uncertain how race improvements will unfold. But we will analyze what we can improve, although I can’t say much more about it at the moment,” he added.
Lawson, who stepped into the RB22 while Isack Hadjar recovers from a wrist injury, showed solid pace in his return to senior Red Bull duty, placing 11th on the grid. Both Red Bull cars also introduced new MGU-K power unit components prior to the session.
Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Saturday’s Sprint race, followed by main Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all track activities live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.
Sprint Qualifying Top 6 Results: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.567 | — |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:11.608 | +0.041s |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:11.622 | +0.055s |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:11.666 | +0.099s |
| 5 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:11.794 | +0.227s |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:12.094 | +0.527s |
Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Session | Local time (CEST) | UTC |
| Free Practice 1 | Friday, August 21 – 12:30 | 10:30 |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday, August 21 – 16:30 | 14:30 |
| Sprint Race | Saturday, August 22 – 12:00 | 10:00 |
| Qualifying | Saturday, August 22 – 16:00 | 14:00 |
| Race | Sunday, August 23 – 15:00 | 13:00 |
Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States
- United States (Eastern Time / ET)
- Broadcaster: Apple TV
- Sprint Race: Saturday, August 22 – 06:00 ET
- Qualifying: Saturday, August 22 – 10:00 ET
- Race: Sunday, August 23 – 09:00 ET
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Where will Max Verstappen start for the Dutch GP Sprint race?
Max Verstappen will start 6th on the grid for Saturday’s Sprint race in Zandvoort.
2. Why was Isack Hadjar not driving for Red Bull at Zandvoort?
Hadjar was ruled out due to a wrist hairline fracture sustained during a workout, with Liam Lawson taking his place.
3. Did Red Bull introduce new engine parts at the Dutch GP?
Yes, both Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson received new MGU-K units ahead of track action, reaching their maximum seasonal limits.
