Red Bull keeps Verstappen 'inside the bubble' despite home race

Verstappen made a trip to The Hague on Thursday where he was appointed an Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. According to Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, Verstappen's visit will be the only one of its kind.

Usual protocol for Verstappen at Zandvoort

Red Bull is keeping Verstappen within the proverbial bubble and will not allow him to take part in any extra activities this weekend at Zandvoort, despite it being his home race. The massive turnout of Verstappen fans for the Dutch Grand Prix is a good time for the Dutchman to have these extra activities, but Red Bull stresses it wants to maintain the usual protocol this weekend.

Horner told Viaplay: "I think you have to keep the pressure on. Once that disappears, you start making mistakes." In a previous interview, the Brit also indicated that the extra pressure on Verstappen this weekend, due to the thousands of Dutch fans, is not a problem for the reigning world champion. That pressure seems to keep him on his toes. Despite Verstappen's big lead in the world championship, Zandvoort is no time to slacken off, according to Horner.