Returning to the Formula 1 calendar last year, the Dutch GP hosted a much more interesting race this year. Last year, Verstappen, who started from the first row and did not leave the lead throughout the race, also managed to win the race. This year, the race has been much more competitive.
Although the Zandvoort track is known as a track that is difficult to cross, it contains much more transition points than tracks like Monaco. The track, which draws attention with its sloping curves and bumpy structure, is shorter than most of the other tracks on the calendar. This allowed us to watch a more competitive race by taking tire control and pit stop strategies one step further in the race.
Don’t forget the tire, friend!
Verstappen started the race from the first row, while two Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Sainz were right behind him. After Sergio Perez, who had an accident in the qualifying laps, started from the 5th row, the race fans were waiting for the two Ferraris to squeeze Verstappen.
The start of the race was much different than expected. Maintaining his lead at the start, Verstappen continued to lead the race at a safe distance. A few seconds behind the front duo, Sainz’s podium hopes were dashed because Ferrari forgot the car’s tire at the pit stop. After a long pit stop, Sainz was pushed back to the middle rows. The issue was also on the agenda on social media.
“This should be Ferrari’s theme music”
“The car Ferrari expected to pit”
“Ferrari needs to hire this guy”
Starting the race with medium-hard tires, Mercedes established its strategy accordingly. In the last parts of the race, we saw both the virtual and real safety car, with Tsunoda’s car, who first stated that there was a problem with his car, and after a few laps, Valtteri Bottas’s cars remained on the road. In the meantime, the dominance in the pit stops changed hands between Verstappen and the Mercedes team.
When the race was restarted, Verstappen was able to quickly overtake Hamilton at the start with his fresh soft tyres. Later, Russell and Leclerc also surpassed Hamilton. At the end of the race, Verstappen was the winner, while the names accompanying him on the podium were Geroge Russell in 2nd place and Leclerc in 3rd place. 4. While Hamilton was making a dangerous start in the pit area, Sainz was penalized and dropped from 5th to 8th. Perez finished 5th, Alonso 6th, Norris 7th, Sainz 8th, Ocon 9th and Stroll 10th.
Safety car driver Bernd Mayländer, who had to go to the track frequently in the F2 and F3 series, became the driver who made the most laps of the day after he entered the track in the F1 race.
