Martin Brundle shares Max Verstappen slowing down theory after Dutch Grand Prix defeat

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Max Verstappen couldn’t deliver a fourth straight victory at his home race in Zandvoort for one of the most passionate crowds on the Formula 1 calendar.

Verstappen produced a brilliant lap to start alongside Lando Norris on the front row of the Dutch Grand Prix and got the better of his championship rival on the run down to the first corner.

Another worrying start from Norris saw him fail to lead the first lap of a race for the sixth time starting from pole position and Max Verstappen quickly got out of DRS range.

However, the fairy tale didn’t last long for the Dutch driver and before the first round of pit stops for the leaders he was once again staring at the McLaren’s rear wing.

Once the Red Bull’s tyres began to degrade it didn’t take long for Norris to sense an opportunity and close the gap.

He was ahead just two laps later and the gap grew significantly throughout the rest of the race as Norris made the most of the clean air.

Norris then slightly mocked Verstappen as he crossed the finish line and in the style of the Dutchman, set the fastest lap of the race with his final effort, highlighting that he still had plenty left in the tank.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 at the conclusion of the Grand Prix, Martin Brundle had a theory as to why the gap was so significant between Norris and Verstappen.

Norris achieved a margin of victory not seen since Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and hopes are high that a title race could develop over the coming weeks and months.

However, Brundle believes that Verstappen may have been holding back slightly once he knew that 2^nd place was secured.

Verstappen knows Red Bull are facing new issues with their car and he’ll be hoping that the staff back at their Milton Keynes factory can find a solution sooner rather than later.

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Martin Brundle shares Max Verstappen theory after the Dutch Grand Prix

Norris almost had a pit stop in hand by the time he won the race over Verstappen which is virtually unheard of during this era of Formula 1.

It’s the sort of advantage Verstappen typically enjoys over the rest of the field but the grid has well and truly converged to the point where he’s now on a five-race streak without a victory.

Analysing why Norris has such a big advantage over the 26-year-old, Brundle said: “I would hazard a guess that that was not as fast as Max could go!

“He knew he couldn’t beat Lando and dropping back a bit like that is going to give the factory a hurry up, isn’t it?

“I’d be pretty sure of that!”

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Max Verstappen ‘grumpy’ before the Dutch Grand Prix weekend even began

Verstappen went into the summer break knowing he had a significant advantage over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship but would also have been well aware that his friend and rival is now in a superior vehicle.

Helmut Marko admitted Verstappen was grumpy going into the race weekend due to a particularly early WADA drugs test on Friday morning.

It was a ‘highly unusual’ situation and given Verstappen has won Grand Prix this season despite doing overnight sim racing stints, wouldn’t have had an impact on his performance.

However, he will be concerned that Red Bull have let what many considered to be an insurmountable lead in the development race slip over the past few months.

Without Adrian Newey to guide them going forward, the pressure is on Pierre Wache’s team to find a solution.

He may cling on to a fourth title this year, but Verstappen will be well aware he’s unlikely to be the favourite heading into the 2025 campaign at this rate.