Dutch fans get stark 'news' ahead of Verstappen's home race

13:58, 17 Aug

Updated: 16:18, 17 Aug

Co-author:Norberto Mujica

byLudo van Denderen

In the last weekend of August, tens of thousands of Dutch fans flock to the circuit in Zandvoort, where the penultimate Dutch Grand Prix takes place. Tom Coronel has some particularly bad news for these people in advance.

Without a doubt, the fans are hoping for a win from Max Verstappen, but according to Coronel, this won't happen, he told RaceXpress. "You have to be realistic. I think P3 is the maximum achievable. In that case, we're in for a good party on Sunday," said the driver and analyst.

"Winning, that's not something he [Verstappen] needs to think about. The maximum achievable here would be 3, 4, 5. Well, then you have to take the extreme. I always think about the home advantage, which makes you more driven. So yes, I say qualify P5 and finish third in the race."

Max Verstappen will not win the Dutch Grand Prix, says Tom Coronel

'McLaren a serious contender in Dutch Grand Prix'

In Coronel's opinion, the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are too strong, and these two drivers will decide who takes the Dutch Grand Prix title - as they've often done this season.

If the McLarens don't finish, Verstappen might have a chance to win at some point this season, Coronel believes. Although Verstappen himself indicated that he is not likely to win another race under normal circumstances, the analyst is slightly more optimistic.

"We've seen it several times, of course. We saw it in Suzuka. 'No, that's not going to happen at all'. It never happens and then he manages to squeeze out the 'Max round'."

"Then he can stay in front, because the rest are driving in dirty air. These are, I think, his chances. But not because he's faster in combination with the car," says Coronel.