Formula 1’s Dutch Grand Prix has been red-flagged after one lap following an enormous accident for home hero Max Verstappen.
At the end of lap 1 on a damp circuit, Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull as he tagged the white line on the inside of Zandvoort’s final turn – the banked, flat out Luyendyk corner leading onto the main straight.
Verstappen veered head on into the outside wall, before his car crossed the track and came to a standstill on the inside.
The Dutchman soon reported he was OK and apologised to his team for ending his race early.
Verstappen was fortunate not to be collected by any other cars, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly taking avoiding action, while in the background Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg also narrowly avoided a huge accident as his team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto spun in front of him.
Under the red flag all drivers gathered in the pitlane awaiting the restart. They were having to navigate a field of debris before pit entry, but teams are allowed to change tyres under a red flag ahead of the restart. That restart is expected at 15:33 local time.
Max Verstappen
Photo by: Anni Graf – Formula 1 via Getty Images
At the time Verstappen was running seventh after a disappointing qualifying session. Polesitter Lando Norris retained his lead during a chaotic start sequence, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli passing George Russell for second.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc gaining two positions to hold down fourth ahead of the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri and team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
For Verstappen, the accident marks an unfortunate end to a six-year spell racing on home soil, winning the first three editions of the Dutch Grand prix revival in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The race will disappear from the calendar after organisers decided not to pursue a contract renewal with F1 management.
Earlier in the week, the four-time world champion announced he had extended his Red Bull contract until the end of the 2030 season.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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