Coulthard predicts: 'That will be the decisive factor'

David Coulthard is deeply impressed with Max Verstappen' s performance in qualifying at Zandvoort. After a disappointing Friday, Red Bull Racing worked hard to still look good on Saturday, and Verstappen did an excellent job of converting that into pole position.

Coulthard praises 'special' Verstappen performance

"I thought this was something really special," Coulthard began on Viaplay about Verstappen's performance. The Scot stressed that the challenge was even greater because of the pressure to find something extra, while Ferrari had looked stronger all weekend. "I think the Ferrari was actually a better, faster car on the day, but Max just dug deep. He exploited where he was quick. To be a little bit down in that first sector, he knows he's got to work hard in the middle sector," continued the former Formula One driver.

Coulthard cites Sergio Perez, who lost his RB18 in the final corner, as an example. He stresses that it is a tricky corner, especially when the pressure is on. "So again, super impressive performance," he adds. The top three teams were very close during qualifying, so that bodes well for Sunday's race.

Ferrari must be aggressive with strategy

In the race, the former McLaren and Red Bull Racing driver expects tyres and strategy to once again play a crucial role. "As we know from last year, Lewis Hamilton was pushing Max all the way to the chequered flag, so he had to be flawless. He couldn't make one mistake. Again, I think track position after the final stop is going to be the deciding factor." If Ferrari is to beat Red Bull, it will have to pull out all the stops - just like Red Bull did last year - and dare to take risks with strategy. "To be conservative I think is not the way you need to race this now," Coulthard observed.

Mercedes have come out strong so far at Zandvoort, but the analyst does not expect Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to pose a serious threat for victory. "Under normal running conditions, I still believe that it's a Ferrari-Red Bull battle out at the front, unless of course Ferrari does something with the strategy that doesn't quite work and then it brings Mercedes into play," concludes Coulthard.