Just like last year, Formula 1 has once again experienced the unpredictable Dutch summer weather during the race. A combination of rain and strong winds resulted in several off-track excursions and limited action during the first training session. Lando Norris clocked the best time on the coast, closely followed by Max Verstappen.
Challenging Conditions for Teams, Drivers, and Spectators
With wind speeds reaching up to 8 on the Beaufort scale, a soaking wet track, and teams hesitant to send their wind-sensitive cars onto the track, the first free practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix proved to be a real test for the teams, drivers, and spectators. Take Nico Hülkenberg, a fan of Dutch culture and snacks, and a winner on the dune circuit in various series in his younger years: he almost immediately went off the track during both his installation lap and the first serious lap. “It’s pretty wild with this wind,” concludes Pierre Gasly, who was the first to explore Zandvoort with his Alpine.
Super Friday Kick-off: A Slow Start but a Thrilling Finish
The start of Super Friday, a day filled with music and excitement, initially did not live up to the expectations of the fans. In the first half-hour, only Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Hülkenberg had set a time. The majority of the field stayed in, waiting for better conditions. However, the crowd’s spirits lifted when Max Verstappen took his RB20 onto the track halfway through the opening session. The three-time world champion initially spun out, but quickly reassured his fans by clocking a time four seconds faster than Leclerc. Yet, Verstappen’s time was soon surpassed by Russell.
Opening Session: A Turnaround in the Final Quarter
The opening session, which saw Robert Schwartzman taking over Valtteri Bottas’s car at Sauber, came alive in the last quarter. The rain showers had passed, the sun was breaking through, and the track was drying up. In the final minutes, even the fastest dry-weather tires (softs) could be fitted onto the cars. Norris recorded the fastest time, narrowly beating Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Results
Details of the results will be provided in the following section.
