[ad_1]
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP):
Wearing the Dutch national flag like a cape, Max Verstappen felt like royalty as he stood atop the podium at his home race.
He treated his fans — including King Willem-Alexander — to a superb win at the Netherlands Grand Prix yesterday to wrestle back the lead from Lewis Hamilton, who finished second ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
“Incredible feeling, of course, to win in front of the fans, because the king was watching with the royal family,” Verstappen said. “Just an amazing day.”
After 13 races of a thrilling Formula One (F1) title fight, the Red Bull driver is three points ahead of Hamilton, who seeks a record eighth F1 title to move one ahead of Michael Schumacher and stand alone among F1 greats.
Verstappen is chasing his first F1 crown and will take some stopping, considering he leads Hamilton 7-4 for wins and 7-3 in pole positions.
The only thing missing from Verstappen’s 17th career win was a bonus point for fastest lap, which went to Hamilton.
Verstappen’s winning margin of 21 seconds over Hamilton was exaggerated because the British driver had to pit again to wrestle back that point from Bottas. A rare blip by Mercedes saw Bottas told to abort his bid for fastest lap, but it was too late and forced Hamilton to retrieve it.
After the race, a jubilant Verstappen grabbed a Dutch flag and lifted it high towards his adoring supporters as they celebrated together.
“The expectations were high, and it’s never easy to fulfil that,” Verstappen said. “But I’m so happy to win here and to take the lead as well in the championship. It’s just an amazing day with the whole crowd.”
DEVOTED HOME FANS
Verstappen’s devoted home fans turned the stands by the seaside town into an orange sea of bodies. Orange flares were lit, and feet were stamped as Verstappen turned to the crowd with a clenched fist after a clinical drive.
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly placed fourth ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine driver Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen started from pole position for the sixth time in the past seven races, courtesy of a brilliant qualifying session.
Hamilton and Bottas were just behind, but Verstappen zoomed clear of them on the speedy 4.3km (2.7-mile) Zandvoort with its high-banking corners.
“The start was very important. I think we did that well,” he said. “Mercedes tried to make it difficult for us, but we countered them all the time really well.”
Team principal Christian Horner called Verstappen’s drive “epic” and hugged team engineers and mechanics in the paddock.
Netherlands GP results:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 25
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 19
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 15
4. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 12
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 10
6. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 8
7. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 6
8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 4
9. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) 2
10. Lando Norris (McLaren) 1
Driver Championship standings:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 224.5
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 221.5
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 123
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 114
5. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) 108
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 92
7. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 89.5
8. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 66
9. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 56
10. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 44
Constructor Championship standings:
1. Mercedes 344.5
2. Red Bull 332.5
3. Ferrari 181.5
4. McLaren 170
5. Alpine 90
6. AlphaTauri 84
7. Aston Martin 53
8. Williams 20
9. Alfa Romeo 3
10. Haas 0
[ad_2]
Source link
