scroll
Scroll downfor the latest news

Max completes only seven laps in Zandvoort FP1

Published on 02 September 2022 by Stefan Meens

In the opening practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix, Max Verstappen completed only seven laps of the Zandvoort Circuit. The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver was forced to retire his RB18 after suffering a gearbox failure. It meant Max finished the session in P19. At the front, Mercedes led the way with George Russell fastest ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz completed the top three in his Ferrari.

FP1 is off to a sunny start with 110.000 fans, mainly dressed in orange, taking their spots around the circuit in the dunes. Although the track lay-out has not changed from last year, the second DRS zone has been extended. The drivers are now allowed to activate DRS before the final banked turn, Arie Luyendyk corner.

Max is one of the first drivers out on track, this time sporting a special helmet design that pays tribute to his father Jos. After being congratulated on his appointment as Officer in the order of Orange-Naussau by team boss Christian Horner over team radio, Max sets about putting in his first timed laps.

Sadly for the Orange Army, the reigning champion only completes seven laps. A gearbox issue forces the Dutchman to park his car track side, meaning he misses the remainder of FP1.

With forty minutes to go, the session is resumed and slowly but gradually the lap times tumble. With twenty minutes to go, everyone bar the Mercedes have set a quick lap on the soft Pirellis with Carlos Sainz leading the McLarens of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.

When the Mercedes eventually do bolt on the red side-walled softs, they immediately go quickest with George Russell ending the session in P1.

Contest Dutch GP: win a 1:4 scale model Max Verstappen Dutch GP 2022 helmet!

Results first free practice Netherlands:

posdriverteamtimelaps
1George RussellRUSMercedes1:12.455
2Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:12.695+0.240s
3Carlos SainzSAIFerrari1:12.845+0.390s
4Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Mercedes1:12.929+0.474s
5Daniel RicciardoRICMcLaren Mercedes1:13.077+0.622s
6Charles LeclercLECFerrari1:13.127+0.672s
7Sergio PerezPERRed Bull Racing RBPT1:13.416+0.961s
8Fernando AlonsoALOAlpine Renault1:13.633+1.178s
9Esteban OconOCOAlpine Renault1:13.963+1.508s
10Alexander AlbonALBWilliams Mercedes1:14.063+1.608s
11Mick SchumacherMSCHaas Ferrari1:14.163+1.708s
12Lance StrollSTRAston Martin Mercedes1:14.257+1.802s
13Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:14.405+1.950s
14Pierre GaslyGASAlphaTauri RBPT1:14.474+2.019s
15Sebastian VettelVETAston Martin Mercedes1:14.500+2.045s
16Zhou GuanyuZHOAlfa Romeo Ferrari1:14.534+2.079s
17Yuki TsunodaTSUAlphaTauri RBPT1:14.630+2.175s
18Valtteri BottasBOTAlfa Romeo Ferrari1:14.695+2.240s
19Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing RBPT1:14.714+2.259s
20Nicholas LatifiLATWilliams Mercedes1:15.122+2.667s