Is Verstappen hoping for rain? "It doesn't really matter to me to be honest"

Max Verstappen does not expect to be able to compete for the win at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver states that Mercedes and its powerful engine will be dominant, even if it ends up raining. The nine-time Grand Prix winner also has an explanation as to why the results during his home race may have been disappointing in the recent years.

"Normally you say you're going to drive with less downforce, but if Mercedes has such a good car it's hard to compensate," says Verstappen in an online press release from Red Bull. The Mercedes engine will probably be superior. "You just have to accept that they will be faster on the straight".

If you have to drive a wet Spa-Francorchamps, things may be different. The 22-year-old Dutchman states that the W11 will also be too fast in the rain. "It doesn't really matter to me to be honest. I don't think it will change much in the end result".

Verstappen never scored podium in Italy

In his career Verstappen was on the podium once in the Ardennes and several times he dropped out during his home-Grand Prix. Could that be a coincidence? "In general we are never really the strongest on this circuit, but there are more of them. For example, I have never been on the podium at Monza. Of course they are a bit the same circuits with long straights, although there are some more corners here", says Verstappen. "We always have to drive with so little downforce to compensate for the speed on the straight. It's not our best weekend."