Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he was less confident ahead of his home Grand Prix than at this time last year, with a "very close" race in prospect.
Verstappen has never lost in front of his adoring fans since Zandvoort returned to the Fi circuit in 2021 and completely dominated the drivers' championship last year with 19 Grand Prix victories.
But after a strong start this season, the Red Bull driver has failed to win the last four Grand Prix races and he said the feeling was very different coming into tomorrow's battle than in 2023.
"Let's just say that last year coming here, I was a lot more confident that we had a big chance of winning the race," Verstappen told reporters.
"But that's how the season is already, you know. It's a lot more competitive," he added.
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