Verstappen gave a temperance class at Zandvoort, won at home and is in command again in Formula 1

2021-09-05T18:18:23.041Z

The Dutchman won from end to end at the Dutch Grand Prix and leads the World Cup with three points clear of Hamilton.

09/05/2021 15:01

Clarín.com
sports

Updated 09/05/2021 15:01

Formula 1 returned to Zandvoort after 36 years and, on the 13th round of the season, Max Verstappen presented an undeniable triumph to the thousands of Dutch who filled the stands of the short, narrow and undulating track built on the dunes of the Sea from North. An old school circuit in which the

Red Bull

driver

gave a driving lesson, dominated without problems and, with a perfect strategy from his team, endured the constant pressure of the

Mercedes

of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, who completed the podium.

When Verstappen crossed the finish line, a tide of orange smoke began to descend from the stands - in which there were almost 70,000 fans, most of them local - and the thunder of bombs that celebrated his historic triumph echoed in the air.

It is that Mad Max succeeded in the history

of the Netherlands Grand Prix

the legendary Austrian Niki Lauda, triple world champion and that in 1985 he signed the twenty-fifth and last victory of his brilliant and spectacular career in the highest category there.

Verstappen, who reached the top of the podium for the seventh time this season and for the 17th time in his career, also regained the leadership of the championship, which he had lost to Hamilton at the beginning of August, after the date that was ran in Hungary.

An amazing moment for @ Max33Verstappen and his army of Dutch fans 🟠 🏁 🏆 # DutchGP 🇳🇱 # F1 pic.twitter.com/SAZ7tsZT4g

- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 5, 2021

The Dutchman now leads with 224.5 points.

Meanwhile, the seven-time world champion, who took the bonus point by setting the lap record in the final lap, is second with 221.5 and his teammate Bottas, third with 123.

"I think the start was very important, we did very well at the time, and then of course Mercedes did not make things easy for us. But we have countered them well at all times. We can be more than satisfied with the performance of everything. the team. It was incredible, "commented the Red Bull.

The Dutchman started from first place, having achieved his tenth pole in the premier class on Saturday, and had a clean start in which he defended the lead very well.

From then on, he dedicated himself to caring for his position in a career that had no major incidents.

Because although in the previous one the possibility of an accident was not ruled out, in a very demanding circuit that did not grant errors, the safety car never entered.

The only yellow flag was given on lap 38, when Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), one of the laggards, spun and was crossed to the side of the track;

and Bottas came close to hitting him, but dodged with a great reaction.

Vettel's Aston Martin crossed on the track after a spin.

Photo www.formula1.com

It was intuited that, without major incidents, most of the drivers would try to complete the test with a single pit stop.

But it was not like that.

Hamilton was the first of the top to change tires.

He did it in the 21st lap, to put half tires, and announced that he would go, at least, to two.

What caused that in the following turn Verstappen carried out identical maneuver;

and Bottas became provisional leader.

That was the only moment of the test in which the Dutchman did not turn forward.

Max regained first place on lap 31, with a clean overtaking against Bottas who, with worn tires (he had not made a stop yet), could not contain him.

The Finn immediately gave up second place to Hamilton, as indicated by his team.

The Briton entered the pit again on lap 40, to change tires and try to close some distance with Verstappen, who mimicked his strategy on the next lap.

But the play did not go well for the seven-time champion, who shortly afterwards complained on the radio: "There was still a lot of life left in that last tire, I don't know why we rushed off."

The podium of the Netherlands Grand Prix: Hamilton (second), winner Verstappen and Bottas (third).

Photo Francisco Seco / AFP

The fact is that although he was still close to the leader and even gave himself the pleasure of setting the fastest lap in the 50th, Hamilton could not disturb the Red Bull, who continued firmly ahead.

And time ended up proving him right: because with ten laps to go, he began to lose his rhythm and see how Verstappen was moving further and further away.

With the

Mad Max

victory

practically consummated, Mercedes went all or nothing in the end.

He stopped Bottas in 69th to give Hamilton a window, who came in just after to put on the soft tires.

It was not enough to beat the Dutchman, who crossed the finish line alone;

but yes to sign the lap record in the last lap, with 1m11s097, and take a bonus point that could end up being key in the outcome of the championship.

"What a race! What an audience! Max did a great job, congratulations to him. I did everything I could, I gave it my all, but it was too fast. He had that advantage and it is very difficult to follow him like this. The last lap was one of the best parts of the race for me, a single lap, low on fuel. This is now one of my favorite circuits, "commented Hamilton.

ɴᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴅs 🔥 I'm so happy to win my home Grand Prix and the Orange Army, just incredible 🙌 🧡 It was an amazing team performance, thanks a lot, @redbullracing and @ HondaRacingF1 🤘 A day to remember #KeepPushing 🇳🇱 #DutchGP pic.twitter.com/WI1gDEkVUI

- Max Verstappen (@ Max33Verstappen) September 5, 2021

"This is unbelievable," said Verstappen, as he listened to the applause and deafening cheers of support from the audience minutes before the awards ceremony.

"The expectations were very high for this weekend and it is never easy to meet them. But we did it and I am happy to have won here and to have regained the leadership of the world championship. It was a wonderful day."

Both will challenge each other again next weekend at

Monza

, the legendary track in Lombardy, which will host the Italian

Grand Prix

, the 14th date of a season that, it seems, will have suspense until the end.