Netherlands: Better Sunday, but no points at Zandvoort
A difficult qualifying left Daniel with a mountain to climb in round 15, but improved pace in a processional race saw him move towards the top 10.
Race data
Netherlands (Round 15 of 24), 23-25 August, 2024
Zandvoort: 4.259km, 72 laps
Qualified: 16th (started 13th after Albon/Williams, Hamilton/Mercedes and Magnussen/Haas penalties)
Finished: 12th
Laps per position: 11th (5 laps), 12th (9 laps), 13th (26 laps), 14th (7 laps), 15th (18 laps), 16th (3 laps), 17th (2 laps), 18th (1 lap)
Pit stops/tyres: Lap 29 (medium/hard)
Fastest lap: 1min 15.222secs (13th), lap 52
Points this event: 0
Points this season: 12 (13th in world championship)
Daniel's download
“We didn’t get points, but I was actually happy with the big picture of the race after how frustrated I was after qualifying. The pace, at the times we had to push we pushed and had some pace in hand, and when we had to get through a few cars we were able to not lose too much time. You can’t only be happy when you’re in the points, so I’m less frustrated than I was.
“I was definitely happier with the bigger picture than I was after qualifying – it’s sometimes hard to dissect everything so soon as you finish qualifying especially when it doesn’t go well, but deep down I was frustrated and disappointed with myself more than anything. With hindsight we could have done some things on the car to help, but at the end of the day we have to manage a tricky car at times and I was disappointed in myself for not handling that better. If you’re out in Q1 – and it really is over like ‘that’ – then you don’t get many chances.
“We’re looking for more consistency, and that’s definitely not easy in the midfield. I mean, look at [Pierre] Gasly [Alpine] … he was in the points today and was fast, and Alpine have not really been there much at all this year. In this midfield, when a car is working on a particular circuit, you can make such a big jump. Our balance today felt points-worthy, but there were just some cars that and drivers who were operating at a higher level. We have to just accept that sometimes.
“After the race, I told the team I’ll qualify better at Monza next week and make the Sunday easier and more smooth for us. I wouldn’t say it’s going to be awesome, on paper at least, but I don’t know what I can predict this year! We’ll rock up there, I’ll drive to the best of my ability and hope that it works out.”
DR’s race recap
* Qualified 16th, started 13th on medium tyres after penalties for Hamilton/Mercedes, Albon/Williams and Magnussen/Haas.
* Finished first lap in 15th after being passed by Bottas/Sauber and Hamilton, who started on soft tyres.
* Advanced to 13th on lap 14 as Tsunoda/RB and Hulkenberg/Haas pitted.
* Overtook Bottas for 12th on lap 15.
* Improved to 11th when Hamilton pitted on lap 24.
* Pitted on lap 29 for hard tyres, rejoined in 18th place. Improved to 17th on the next lap as Ocon/Alpine pitted.
* Improved to 16th when Tsunoda pitted on lap 33.
* Overtook Bottas at Turn 1 for 15th on lap 36, then Albon for 13th at Turn 1 on lap 46.
* Finished 13th after 71 laps, then gained one place for Stroll/Aston Martin penalty for speeding in the pit lane to be classified 12th, one lap behind race-winner Norris/McLaren.
DR’s next destination
Round 16: Italy (Monza), 30 August-1 September
Italy in 2022 (most recent race): qualified 4th, did not finish (oil leak)
In F1: 12 races, 1 win, 1 podium, 2 fastest laps, 89 points, 8 points finishes
Best qualifying: 2nd (2021)
Best finish: 1st (2021)
