{"id":865902,"date":"2026-08-23T20:46:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T20:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/865902\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T20:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T20:46:13","slug":"dutch-disaster-as-max-verstappens-72-sec-nightmare-wrecks-home-gp-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/865902\/","title":{"rendered":"Dutch DISASTER as Max Verstappen\u2019s 72-sec nightmare wrecks home GP farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Formula One world champion Lando Norris stormed to victory in a thrilling Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, sealing back-to-back wins in a race marred by a huge crash for local hero Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n<p>The Briton started on pole and managed to come out on top of a sensational three-way battle with current title leader Kimi Antonelli and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.<\/p>\n<p>Norris crossed the line 11.54 seconds ahead of Antonelli in second place and claimed a memorable hat-trick for McLaren at the Dutch Grand Prix after wins for teammate Oscar Piastri last year and the Briton himself the year before.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>But the race proved disastrous for Verstappen, with the final Dutch Grand Prix for the hometown icon over less than one lap in, after only 72 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship\u2122 LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? <a href=\"https:\/\/kayosports.com.au\/en-AU\/welcome\/f1?extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkmotorsport-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-mtr-kyo&amp;channel=fsa&amp;campaign=fsacontra\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Coming into the last corner of the first lap, Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull, smashed into the wall and careered across the track, forcing several rivals to swerve out of the way.<\/p>\n<p>To the relief of the tens of thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans, Verstappen immediately told his team he was unhurt and he walked free from the car.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was quite wet on that corner,\u201d Verstappen told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n<p>Lando praises himself for winning move | 00:32<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs soon as I was going through the corner, at one point I could see the dry line coming. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought from this point on I could accelerate again \u2026 but it caught me out. It\u2019s as simple as that. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI tried to correct it, but couldn\u2019t, and then of course you hit the wall. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously, it could have been a lot worse.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, had to settle for sixth after a disappointing finish to a race that started with promise.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian jumped to third after a spectacular overtake of George Russell, but told Sky Sports he \u201cjust had nothing\u201d for the later stages.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first lap was good \u2013 after the red flag \u2026 and then the first stint felt OK,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd then after that I just had nothing. I don\u2019t know why.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;I had nothing, I don&#8217;t know why&#8230;&#8217; | 00:51<\/p>\n<p>Speaking after his victory, Norris said the race was \u201cprobably one of my better wins\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI made it tough for myself today, but a good race. Well fought,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI managed things incredibly well today. So over the moon, very, very happy and nice to win the final race here in Zandvoort.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes driver George Russell completed the podium after holding off a determined challenge from Hamilton in the closing stages of the race.<\/p>\n<p>A hefty downpour an hour before lights out meant drivers had to deal with a drying track and the conditions created a dramatic start to the race.<\/p>\n<p>When the race restarted after a delay of more than 30 minutes following Verstappen\u2019s crash, Antonelli reacted faster off the grid than Norris, passing him in the first turn.<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli was ahead until the 54th lap when Norris pulled off an spectacular overtake on the Italian.<\/p>\n<p>Hulkenberg pulls off epic reflex save | 01:15<\/p>\n<p>Norris then cruised towards the chequered flag while behind him Hamilton engaged in a nailbiting scrap with George Russell, which the Mercedes man won.<\/p>\n<p>The second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc came in fifth while the other McLaren driven by Oscar Piastri took sixth place.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 \u2018A big party\u2019 \u2013<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli still enjoys a 59-point lead over rivals Hamilton and Russell, but he will start the next race in Monza with a 10-place grid penalty after Mercedes have been forced into an engine change.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJust didn\u2019t have the feeling with the car that was sliding a lot overall,\u201d said Antonelli, who turns 20 next week.<\/p>\n<p>The teenage sensation set the pace in the first half of the season, winning six races, including a stunning run of five consecutive Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>But the chasing pack has closed in fast, with McLaren in particular bringing upgrades to their car that have brought them into contention.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow as a team, we need to find a little bit of time because McLaren have done a huge step. So yeah, we\u2019ve got to keep pushing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>It was the last edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, with promoters pulling the plug this year for financial reasons.<\/p>\n<p>Hamilton EXPLODES at Leclerc &amp; Ferrari | 01:40<\/p>\n<p>Drivers and fans alike regret the loss of the track, whose unusual lay-out with steep banked corners provides a unique challenge for the drivers.<\/p>\n<p>Many drivers also hailed the raucous atmosphere at the event, with packed crowds \u2013 most dressed from head to toe in Dutch orange \u2013 ensuring a party spirit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a shame to have the last race here. The track is amazing, the fans are amazing. Hopefully we can come back to Zandvoort because this race needs to be in the calendar,\u201d said Antonelli before the Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>Zandvoort resident Erik Romijn, 54, told AFP he was very proud \u201ca small city of 15,000 people can make a party for 100,000 people every year.\u201d \u201cThe whole world saw that we can create a big party,\u201d said the engineer.<\/p>\n<p>Two consecutive wins for world champion Lando Norris show that there is still all to play for, even if Antonelli still enjoys a comfortable 59-point cushion over the chasing pack.<\/p>\n<p>That gap could narrow in the next race however, as Antonelli is taking a 10-place grid penalty due to an engine change the team has to make.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a team, we need to find a little bit of time because McLaren have done a huge step. So yeah, we\u2019ve got to keep pushing,\u201d said Antonelli.<\/p>\n<p>McLaren blunder undoes Piastri magic | 01:33<\/p>\n<p>The Italian, who turns 20 on Tuesday, complained about grip during the race and told his team their strategy was \u201ctoo risky\u201d as he crossed the line.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re clearly not the fastest car on the grid any more,\u201d fumed Antonelli, who said he was looking forward to a Mercedes upgrade to give them the upper hand again.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Farewell to zany Zandvoort \u2013<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLike no other\u201d is the promotional slogan for the Dutch Grand Prix and drivers and fans appear to agree that it is a unique race that is disappearing from the circuit.<\/p>\n<p>Just a stone\u2019s throw from the beach, the venue is known for unpredictable coastal weather spicing up the race and Zandvoort delivered again, a heavy shower throwing preparations into chaos.<\/p>\n<p>Drivers love the old-fashioned track, with steep banking corners and stands close to the tarmac, with many comparing it favourably to other venues \u201clacking in character.\u201d Then there are the fans. \u201cDive into the sea of orange\u201d reads a panel on the beach leading up to the track and this is exactly the experience for the visitor.<\/p>\n<p>Every year, tens of thousands of fans, many dressed in orange from top to toe, come out to support Verstappen, arriving on trains rebaptised \u201cMax Express\u201d for the occasion.<\/p>\n<p>The promoters have decided not to continue the event, complaining the financial risk is too great at one of only two venues on the calendar without subsidies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt became an image seen around the world. Orange grandstands. The dunes. The sea. The ancipication whenever Max took to the track,\u201d said race sporting director Jan Lammers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut above all, a crowd that showed the world just how powerful the love for motorsport can be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>FULL DUTCH GRAND PRIX LEADERBOARD<\/p>\n<p>1. Lando Norris (GBR\/McLaren) 2 hr 04 min 44.859sec, 2. Kimi Antonelli (ITA\/Mercedes) at 11.536sec, 3. George Russell (GBR\/Mercedes) 15.906, 4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR\/Ferrari) 16.755, 5. Charles Leclerc (MON\/Ferrari) 17.258, 6. Oscar Piastri (AUS\/McLaren) 32.332, 7. Liam Lawson (NZL\/Red Bull) 1:19.915, 8. Nico Hulkenberg (GER\/Audi) 1 lap, 9. Fernando Alonso (ESP\/Aston Martin) 1 lap, 10. Pierre Gasly (FRA\/Alpine) 1 lap, 11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN\/Racing Bulls) 1 lap, 12. Arvid Lindblad (GBR\/Racing Bulls) 1 lap, 13. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA\/Audi) 1 lap, 14. Franco Colapinto (ARG\/Alpine) 2 laps, 15. Sergio Perez (MEX\/Cadillac) 2 laps, 16. Carlos Sainz (ESP\/Williams) 2 laps, 17. Alexander Albon (THA\/Williams-Mercedes) DNF<\/p>\n<p>Did not finish: Max Verstappen (NED\/Red Bull), Oliver Bearman (GBR\/Haas), Lance Stroll (CAN\/Aston Martin), Esteban Ocon (FRA\/Haas), Valtteri Bottas (FIN\/Cadillac), Alexander Albon (THA\/Williams-Mercedes)<\/p>\n<p>DRIVERS\u2019 STANDINGS<\/p>\n<p>1. Kimi Antonelli (ITA) 242 pts, 2. George Russell (GBR) 183, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 183, 4. Lando Norris (GBR) 159, 5. Charles Leclerc (MON) 155, 6. Max Verstappen (NED) 112, 7. Oscar Piastri (AUS) 104, 8. Isack Hadjar (FRA) 68, 9. Liam Lawson (NZL) 49, 10. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 44, 11. Arvid Lindblad (GBR) 23, 12. Franco Colapinto (ARG) 19, 13. Oliver Bearman (GBR) 18, 14. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) 10, 15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 6, 16. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 6, 17. Alexander Albon (THA) 5, 18. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 3, 19. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 3<\/p>\n<p>CONSTRUCTORS\u2019 STANDINGS<\/p>\n<p> 1. Mercedes 425 pts, 2. Ferrari 338, 3. McLaren 263, 4. Red Bull 186, 5. Racing Bulls 66, 6. Alpine 63, 7. Haas 21, 8. Audi 16, 9. Williams 11, 10. Aston Martin 3<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Formula One world champion Lando Norris stormed to victory in a thrilling Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, sealing&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":865903,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[64,63,817,813,816,85],"class_list":["post-865902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-f1","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=865902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/865903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=865902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=865902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=865902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}