A resigned or frustrated Max Verstappen because nothing works and nothing helps; all sorts of feelings would be understandable after the disappointing qualification in Hungary. But it was mostly the former, resignation. “I don’t expect it to suddenly get much better in the race.”
The fact that the four-time world champion could not claim pole at any point on Saturday in Hungary, given the problems with balance and grip, was expected; nothing works. But more was hoped for than P8, even behind, for example, Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber. However, Verstappen calmly tells his story in the paddock afterwards: “Well, it’s not going well all weekend, it’s always the same. I just don’t have grip, can’t attack corners and can’t get on the gas.”
There’s no lack of hard work, of trying to find solutions, says Verstappen: “We really have tried a lot, but nothing works.” That doesn’t bode well for Sunday’s race. “Will it also go badly then? Well, I don’t really have the confidence that it will suddenly get a lot better.”
