Honda knows where Verstappen needs to do it: 'That will be crucial'

"For the Honda team members, it feels a bit like being at our home track in Suzuka, enjoying all the local support we get there," Tanabe told the press review after qualifying at the Zandvoort circuit. For Verstappen, it is the first time he has driven Formula 1 in the Netherlands in an official capacity. "In his first ever Formula 1 qualifying at his home race, Max produced a fantastic performance to take pole in front of an equally fantastic crowd."

However, the points will not be distributed until Sunday, as the Japanese manufacturer also knows. Honda wants to have an answer ready for all scenarios. "Overtaking is very difficult here, so the start will be crucial. It's clear that there could be interruptions with either a red flag or a safety car period, so we will have to prepared for every possible situation", Tanabe said.

Honda can still challenge Sergio Perez's car on Saturday night. The Mexican will start from sixteenth so this is the ideal time for Red Bull to replace as many engine parts as possible and avoid any grid penalties later in the year.