Max Verstappen sends subtle warning to F1 grid as he downplays Dutch GP chances

Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are heading into the Dutch Grand Prix weekend without any expectations. It's a bit difficult to envision it, given the team and driver duo's impression run of form in 2023.

In the season's opening 12 races, Verstappen took victory in 10 Grands Prix, with the remaining two coming courtesy of his teammate, Sergio Perez, early in the year.

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With the Dutch GP weekend upon us, Verstappen and Red Bull can continue their dominant run, but the home hero is not too interested in focusing on continuous supremacy, but rather securing the win without added pressure or expectation.

"We just want to look ahead and try to always bring the best possible car to the track. I think everyone is always trying to prepare in that way," Verstappen said.

"Of course, we want to win here, there's no secret about that. It's one of my favourite places to be, and to win is … It's always very special here, so for sure that's the target for the weekend."

The right mindset

2023 has gone exceptionally well for the Red Bull team. Not only have they matched McLaren's 1988 record of winning the opening 11 races of the season, but they also extended it to 12. And when you factor in the victory at the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP, the number increases to 13 consecutive wins.

For Verstappen, he sits on eight consecutive wins - just one away from equalling Sebastian Vettel's 2013 record of nine wins, also in a Red Bull.

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Yet, with the RB19 being in a league of its own, Verstappen is not thinking too far ahead about records. Still, if he manages to equal Vettel's feat, it "would be