The Dutch Grand Prix has always been a celebration for Max Verstappen and his passionate fan base wrapped in orange. However, this year might bring a new challenge for the home favorite.

Verstappen has dominated at the Zandvoort track, winning all three races since the Dutch Grand Prix made its return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021. But his recent struggles have put him under pressure as he heads into the first race after the summer break without a win in the last four races — his longest winless streak since 2020.

Verstappen, a 26-year-old Dutch driver with Red Bull, believes he is closer to the end rather than the beginning of his F1 career as he enters his 200th race. McLaren and Mercedes are hot on his tail, aiming to challenge the Red Bull dominance.

The qualifying session on Saturday is expected to be affected by rain, but the race on Sunday is likely to remain dry, providing an unpredictable weekend for the drivers and teams.

Sergio Perez’s poor performances have raised questions about his future at Red Bull, despite signing a contract extension recently. The team also seems to have a surplus of drivers for their available seats, making the situation even more intriguing.

George Russell, eager to bounce back after a controversial disqualification in the last race, remains optimistic about his chances moving forward. Despite Mercedes’ recent success, the focus is on McLaren’s Lando Norris as the only contender with a faint chance of catching up to Verstappen.

Visit AP auto racing for more updates on the Formula 1 season.