Max Verstappen has set the podium as his main target at the Belgian Grand Prix, with a win needing “a little bit of luck”.
The Dutchman came into this weekend at Spa Francorchamps knowing he’d start towards the back of the grid as Red Bull opted to install a fresh power unit into his RB18.
But with eight drivers now taking penalties, after AlphaTauri changed Yuki Tsunoda’s engine on Sunday morning, it means Verstappen lines up 14th on the grid.
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Many pundits and even some drivers believe Max will still be a factor in the fight for victory, but…
“I’m just targetting a podium, and with a little bit of luck I’m targeting a win,” he told Sky Sports of his expectations for the race.
All that though didn’t stop the reigning world champion from posting the fastest time in qualifying and blitzing the field by six-tenths of a second.
“I’m surprised at the gap. I don’t expect it to be that big tomorrow in the race,” said Verstappen.
“But it’s very positive, especially when you have to start from the back. If you have a competitive car, that can of course help a lot to move forward again.”
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The Red Bull driver also spoke of the thrill a single lap around Spa still provides, particularly when the car is so well set up.
“It’s always really hard to expect how you will rock up here,” Verstappen said. “But I think we prepared really well already before we got here, and as soon as we put the car on the track it’s been really enjoyable to drive.
“It’s been about just fine-tuning a bit the balance, and that’s what we did also before qualifying. I think we found even a little bit more before we got into qualifying, so very nice.
“And when you have a balance like that around here, a qualifying lap is amazing.”