In a heart-stopping, rain-affected thriller at the Circuit Zandvoort, home hero Max Verstappen sent the Orange Army into a frenzy by claiming a dramatic victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. The win marks his third consecutive home triumph and equals Sebastian Vettel's record of nine straight Formula 1 wins.
The race was turned on its head by a sudden deluge just after the start, causing chaos and transforming the grand prix into a strategic battle of wits. Fernando Alonso secured a stunning second place for Aston Martin after a late charge, while Pierre Gasly completed the podium with a superb drive for Alpine.
A Rollercoaster of Weather and Strategy
The drama began almost immediately. As the lights went out, a heavy downpour drenched parts of the circuit, catching several drivers off guard. The conditions prompted a frantic switch to intermediate tyres, with the safety car deployed to control the field.
Mercedes' George Russell capitalised on the chaos with a bold early pit stop, briefly taking the race lead and offering a glimmer of hope for the Silver Arrows. However, Verstappen's relentless pace and Red Bull's strategic mastery eventually told, with the Dutchman reclaiming the lead and never looking back.
Heartbreak for Mercedes and Ferrari
It was a day to forget for Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. Hamilton, who had shown strong pace all weekend, was left fuming over team radio after a strategic misstep saw him double-stacked behind Russell in the pits, costing him valuable time and a potential podium.
Ferrari's challenge evaporated with a bizarre pit stop incident for Carlos Sainz, who was released unsafely into the path of an Alpine, earning the team a costly penalty. Charles Leclerc could only manage a disappointing P7 after struggling for pace throughout the grand prix.
Alonso's Late Charge and Gasly's Redemption
The final laps provided a nail-biting spectacle as Fernando Alonso, on fresher soft tyres, hunted down Sergio Perez's second place. In a breathtaking final stint, the Spaniard made the move stick with just three laps remaining, sending the crowd into a roar.
Pierre Gasly's podium for Alpine was a story of redemption and perfect strategy, holding off a charging Carlos Sainz to secure third place and a huge haul of points for the French team.
With this monumental victory, Verstappen extends his championship lead to a staggering 138 points, moving him one step closer to a third consecutive world title. The Formula 1 circus now moves to Monza, where the unstoppable Dutchman will look to break Vettel's record and write his name alone in the history books.
