MOTORSPORT: Verstappen 'just too fast'

Lewis Hamilton tried everything but could not prevent Max Verstappen scoring a Dutch delight in his home race in the 2021 Formula 1 world championship.

Damage control even forced Hamilton to make a last-gasp tyre change to claim the bonus point for fastest lap at Zandvoort, but Verstappen still regained the lead in the world title fight by three points.

It was a totally one-sided battle as the orange army of rabid Dutch fans cheered every lap by their hero and Red Bull Racing gave mighty Max the car to completely dominate the opposition from Mercedes-AMG.

“They were just too fast this weekend,” admitted Hamilton. “I gave it absolutely everything. I pushed as hard as I could.”

The silver arrows squad had two cars to apply pressure, with Valtteri Bottas eventually running home third after slowing Verstappen at one stage of the race.

But nothing was going to stop the mercurial youngster in a Dutch GP that was created – after a 36-year absence – so he could showcase his skill.

“The expectations were very high. I’m so happy to win here, and take the lead as well in the championship,” said Verstappen.

“The whole crowd has been incredible and I am so happy to win here. I’ve never experienced anything like this before in my life.

“Amazing day. It’s definitely a very good day.”

Verstappen’s win was a total contrast to his half-points victory just a week earlier on a sodden Spa circuit in Belgium, when treacherous conditions meant there was no racing and just two laps behind the safety car.

This time the sun was shining, he led from the start, and he got full points for first place.

There was plenty of action at Zandvoort, as the roller-coaster circuit in the Dutch sand dunes provided a tough challenge for everyone in the field.

Pierre Gasly was a stand-out as he took fourth for Alpha Tauri, and former champion Fernando Alonso drove brilliantly for sixth in his Alpine, but Daniel Ricciardo again trailed his McLaren teammate Lando Norris to the flag.

Hamilton was disappointed to lose but the racer in him was reflected in his praise for the track.

“It’s an amazing track. The fastest lap at the end was one of my favourite parts of the race,” he said.

“It’s an incredible track to drive on low fuel, this is one of my favourite tracks now and I’ve had a great time here in Holland, so I’m looking forward to coming back next year.”

Despite another podium place, which lifted him to third in the championship points, Bottas was downbeat as he now faces a likely sacking from Mercedes to make way for the promotion of George Russell from Williams.

“I tried to survive to the end,” he said.

Ricciardo had clutch trouble at the start, was bottled up behind the Alpines of Alonso and Esteban Ocon, then had to clear a path for Lando Norris to claim a point for tenth.

“We were P10 at one point today, but it was hard to see how we could’ve been much higher than that,” Ricciardo said.

Holland was the mid-point of an F1 triple-header and teams now head to Monza in Italy, where Mercedes-AMG should have the quicker car and Hamilton is heading to a run of circuits – including Sochi in Russia – where he can apply even more pressure to Verstappen in the title fight.

2021 Dutch Grand Prix results:

2021 Formula 1 driver standings: