Max second fastest in Zandvoort FP1

Published on 03 September 2021 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen marked the return to Zandvoort with a second place in the opening practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix. Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton was quickest with the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in third and fourth.

It is a chilly morning in Zandvoort, despite the legendary circuit basking in sunshine. At the start of FP1, the track temperature sits in the low twenties. This, combined with a ‘green’ track, catches out Yuki Tsunoda on his installation lap as the Japanese drivers spins his Alpha Tauri on cold tyres, prompting the first yellow flag of the session.

After a couple of installation laps, Max decides to put down the throttle and clock some lap times. The Dutchman is immediately on the pace with several quick laps on the hard Pirelli tyres, resulting in the fastest lap of the session thus far.

Fifteen minutes into the session, Sebastian Vettel has to park his Aston Martin at the pit exit with engine issues, resulting in a red flag. Once the German is out of his car, there is no green light to be seen above the airbox; this means the car could give off a potential electrical shock. After a thorough, yet lengthy check, the car is lifted from the track.

With five minutes to go, the green flag is waved and all drivers head out on the soft Pirelli tyres to get a feel for a fast lap. Despite it being busy on track and drivers complaining of traffic, Max is able to better his time and finish the session in second, behind Lewis Hamilton.

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Results first free practice Netherlands: