Dutch GP: Max Verstappen strengthens grip on F1 title with win at home

Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages after some safety car drama to enthuse the 100,000 Dutch fans at Zandvoort.

The 24-year-old was greeted by orange flares and tons of orange shirts as he crossed the finish line to clinch his second straight Dutch Grand Prix.

Mercedes’ George Russell equaled his best finish in Formula 1, pulling away from second place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third.

“It wasn’t an easy race, but we had to push”, says Max Verstappen told Sky Sports After the race. “Obviously with the safety car, the virtual safety car, we make the right decisions.

“It’s always special to win your home Grand Prix. This year I had to work harder for it. It was a great weekend and I’m really happy to win the Dutch Grand Prix. I’m proud to be Dutch. I think

safety car mess

Yuki Tsunoda and AlphaTauri sparked safety car drama midway through the race.

After a relatively smooth start to the race, a bizarre series of events began to occur on lap 45 when Yuki Tsunoda parked his car on the side of the track worried that one of his tires was loose. .

With the safety car imminent, Tsunoda slowly made his way to the pit lane, although he was told by his team that his tires were fine and that the Japanese drivers continued to race. AlphaTauri’s pit his crew checked Tsunoda’s wheel and seat his belt before deciding everything was in good working order and sent him back to the race.

However, Tsunoda soon felt that something was wrong with his car again and was eventually told by his team to stop on track.

Virtual safety allowed AlphaTauri’s parent team, Red Bull, to save valuable seconds while Verstappen pitted for a new set of tyres, allowing the Dutchman to lead again ahead of Hamilton and Russell. I got

But the drama didn’t end there as engine trouble forced Valtteri Bottas to stop his Alfa Romeo on the main straight and the safety car was deployed.

Mercedes initially kept both Hamilton and Russell off the track, but Red Bull pitted Verstappen for another set of new tires, dropping Verstappen to third.

However, Russell entered the pits after claiming new tyres, so Verstappen had a clear run in Hamilton and was able to pass easily once the safety car returned and racing resumed.

After seeing his teammate quickly pass him, an enraged Hamilton berated his team over the radio. Said.

According to Sky Sports, Hamilton’s race engineer Pete Bonington told the driver after the race: “Sorry about that Lewis.”

But that’s no consolation as Hamilton is still waiting for his first win of the season.

Verstappen’s victory extended his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings to 109 points. With his seven races remaining this season, it will take something extraordinary to stop him from winning his F1 title for the second year in a row.

Source: www.cnn.com

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