International media: 'Verstappen is going beyond the ordinary'

HLN (Belgium)

The Belgian media hand out a 9 to Verstappen for his performance at Zandvoort. "Yes, he has the best car. But then you still have to manage not to be caught out on even the slightest mistake at any point during the weekend. And above all: how that dominance of his has become quite ordinary. He is quietly going beyond the ordinary."

Where it all seems to come so easily to the reigning world champion, Perez continues to struggle. As a result, he is awarded no more than a 5. "The Mexican has the same material, but in qualifying - again in the rain - he was almost a second and a half slower. When the Mexican was leading due to the first rain and an earlier tyre change, Verstappen closed the gap by about two seconds per lap. And when he came to drive just behind Max after the second pit stop, Perez was driven at 10 seconds in over 20 laps."

How that's possible? "Because Verstappen is a better driver, very much so. He is a more pure talent, more driven and more focused." That the side on which the RB19 is being developed might speak slightly more in Max's favour is only natural, according to HLN. "But let that not be an excuse for Perez. And not take anything away from Verstappen's merit. Because in Formula 1, it has never been different: a team always tries to tune the car optimally for... its best driver."

La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy)

Italy's biggest sports newspaper continues to marvel at how stoic Verstappen can be. "He laughs with King Willem-Alexander's family as if he were at a reception at a royal palace rather than at the end of a gruelling race that lasted more than two hours and was won in Max's characteristically dominant manner. For Max Verstappen, everything is normal, easy and even predictable."

The Italian medium then handed out even more compliments. "He drove divinely under all conditions and controlled all moments of the race. He remained completely focused, despite the fact that there were a hundred thousand rain-soaked Dutch people in the stands who had come to the North Sea coast to see his triumph."

"It is incredible how this 25-year-old, blessed with an extraordinary talent, can live with the pressure of huge expectations. He only got emotional at the moment of the national anthem, when a few tears on stage scratched his seemingly icy superman harness," La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

L'Equipe (France)

France's L'Equipe saw Verstappen match Sebastian Vettel's record of nine wins in a row. "To achieve this, Max Verstappen had to work hard, but he always gave the impression of driving the best car in the field with ease. At the start of the race, he stayed out a lap longer, losing the lead of the Grand Prix." Perez opted for the intermediates earlier, forcing Verstappen to chase.

"But the championship leader came back like a bullet on Sergio Perez. Max kept setting fastest laps, and his team also made it a lot easier by allowing him to undercut his teammate. Despite the rain, he did not relinquish the lead and won in front of his home crowd for the third consecutive year."

Marca (Spain)

Verstappen won his eleventh race of 2023, and so there was plenty of praise in Spain too. "His pace was incredible, despite heavy rain showers that intermittently made for a 152-minute race full of pure tension and uncertainty." Verstappen, however, remained focused. "The championship leader doesn't let anything throw him off track," he said. "His concentration and hands are commendable. The only driver who was even close to Verstappen's level was Alonso."

Bild

In Germany, Bild headlines,"Verstappen wins his home race in absolute weather chaos! Rain, sun, rain, sun. The Formula One world champion copes best with the changing conditions and takes a convincing victory. For the Dutchman, it is the 11th victory of the season in the 13th race. Impressive: the Dutchman has won all the past nine Grands Prix - equalling the record set ten years ago."

The Telegraph

In England, The Telegraph saw Verstappen drive back to the front of the field like a hot knife through butter after his pit stop for intermediates. "Verstappen lost his lead at the start after a brief shower shook up the race order, tumbling to 13th. The Dutchman managed to regain the lead by lap 13 following a second round of pitstops. This was the Milton Keynes team’s 23rd win in 24 races and Verstappen’s 11th of the season as he closes in on his third straight world title."