From Brazil to Monza to Silverstone to Germany there have been crowds that have elevated Formula 1 races to an unbelievable levels of unforgettable passion. And now the Dutch have added themselves to the list of most extraordinary F1 crowds.
A sea of orange greeted F1 from the moment the first wheel was turned in Friday practice. With 70,000 fans packing out the grandstands every single day the electrifying atmosphere built to a breathtaking crescendo on Sunday as Max Verstappen became the first Dutch driver to ever win his home race.
The weekend was preceded by the news that Kimi Raikkonen has decided that 2021 will be the final Formula One season of his illustrious career. And as if by supernatural design Raikkonen continued to dominate the headlines as it was announced on Friday night that he would not be taking part in the rest of the weekend after returning a positive COVID-19 test. Raikkonen will have to return two negative tests before he will be allowed to partake in this weekend‘s Italian Grand Prix. Robert Kubica slotted into the vacant seat for the weekend.
Nevertheless the show must go on and it most certainly did. Despite failing to open the DRS flap on the final run of qualifying three Max Verstappen still secured pole position for his home Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton lined up along side the Dutchman in second while Valtteri Bottas was third quickest in the second Mercedes. As the lights went out on Sunday it was line astern for the top three while the rest of the field jockeyed for position on the undulating Zaandvoort circuit.
Verstappen’s win wasn’t especially dominant but the Red Bull driver also never seemed especially under pressure from Hamilton. Mercedes threw everything they could at Red Bull in terms of strategy even going so far as to use Bottas as a blocker against Verstappen in aid of Hamilton. Unfortunately for them Verstappen made short work of the Finn and from there on seemed able to control the race.
Throughout the weekend what became clear is that the Zaandvoort circuit is a classic old school track with peril around every corner. As such the Practice sessions and even qualifying were littered with red flags. But surprisingly no safety car or red flag was needed in the race. But for few wheel banging overtakes all the drivers were inch perfect.
Mercedes attempted to dupe Red Bull on strategy, which comprised of pitting Hamilton early. But not only did Red Bull not fall for the bluff but it left Hamilton extremely unsure as to the possibility of carrying a set of tires to the end of the race. As it were the Brit was pulled back into the pit line for another stop, which was easily covered by Verstappen. Ultimately Mercedes chose to stop both its drivers a third time with the aim of securing the point for fastest lap for Hamilton.
Behind the top three Pierre Gasly finished a fine fourth ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Fernando Alonso continues to underline his incredible talent with a fighting sixth place finish followed by Carlos Sainz in seventh. Sergio Perez was voted driver of the day for his recovery drive from a pitlane start to eighth. Esteban Ocon was ninth while Lando Norris took the final point in tenth.
Verstappen’s win sees him retake the lead of the driver’s championship but it also a serious statement of intent. No matter what Mercedes and Hamilton threw at him he, seemingly, handled it with ease; and that under the enormous pressure of a highly expectant Dutch crowd.
The worst kept secret in F1 at the moment is that George Russell is off to Merc for 2022. This announcement, and Bottas’s move to Alfa Romeo, is expected in the next few days. In fact the Bottas to Alfa Romeo move may already be official by the time you are reading this.
