Verstappen Secures P3 in 2025 Dutch GP Qualifying

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen clinched third place in qualifying for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, trailing the dominant McLaren duo. Despite being 0.25 seconds behind Oscar Piastri, who set a new lap record to claim pole, Verstappen expressed satisfaction with Red Bull’s progress.

Red Bull’s Challenge at Zandvoort

Verstappen faced a tough weekend at his home circuit in Zandvoort. With McLaren, led by Piastri and Lando Norris, dominating proceedings, expectations for Verstappen to replicate his three wins and three poles from the last four races here were tempered. Nevertheless, he posted the fastest middle sector, securing P3 with a 1:08.925, just 0.25 seconds off Piastri’s 1:08.662.

Reflecting on his performance, Verstappen said, “The weekend has been quite tricky for us, but qualifying was the best I’ve felt all weekend, so that’s exactly what you want.” He added, “P3 here, I’m very happy with that. The energy of the crowd has been amazing, and seeing so much orange in the grandstands is always special.”

Race Focus

Despite McLaren’s commanding pace, Verstappen remains focused on the race ahead. He emphasized the need to prioritize Red Bull’s strategy. “The McLarens have been very fast all weekend, so it’s important to focus on our own race,” he noted. “This has been a good step forward, and I hope we can keep it going tomorrow.”

Sportrik’s analysis highlights that Zandvoort’s history, with pole-sitters winning every race since 2021, poses a challenge. Yet, Verstappen’s P3 start and improved car performance in qualifying offer a strong platform to compete at the front. Key factors like pit-stop strategy and tire management will be critical on this technical circuit.

The P3 result marks a positive step for Red Bull amid fierce competition from McLaren. With major regulation changes looming in 2026, including Red Bull’s transition to its own power unit supplier, the team, now led by Laurent Mekies, is focused on optimizing the RB21 for the remainder of the season. Verstappen, who has confirmed his commitment to Red Bull for 2026, aims to capitalize on this momentum.