Formula One’s unstoppable pressure, Max Verstappen, danced his option to a historic ninth consecutive victory on the rain-soaked Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.
With Zandvoort’s circuit bathed in liquid sunshine, Verstappen’s homecoming triumph was a meteorological masterpiece.
From pole place, Verstappen surfed via the deluge, equaling the file set by the legendary Sebastian Vettel again in 2013.
The four-time world champion, now basking in retirement, should have raised a figuring out smile as Verstappen made historical past with the identical staff.
Red Bull’s glory prepare saved chugging as they clinched their 14th consecutive victory.
The season’s thirteenth triumph was celebrated amid the rain-soaked drama, and because the checkered flag fluttered, the subsequent vacation spot loomed giant on the horizon – the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Lap one noticed rain-induced chaos, vehicles spinning like ballet dancers on a treacherous stage.
Nature’s capricious temper ushered in a dry spell, solely to unleash a torrential downpour from the North Sea that compelled a 40-minute halt on lap 65.
It was a second of excessive drama, the place each vehicles and drivers appeared on the mercy of the weather.
In this aquatic ballet, Fernando Alonso emerged because the prince of the rostrum, steering Aston Martin to second place and snatching a bonus level for the quickest lap.
The rolling restart, guided by the security automotive, set the stage for a riveting last chase on the seaside circuit.
Pierre Gasly joined the symphony of triumph with a spectacular third-place end, embracing his first podium since becoming a member of Alpine.
However, not all roads have been clean for Red Bull, as Sergio Perez confronted a five-second post-race penalty for a pit lane velocity infraction, relinquishing his grip on the rostrum and settling for fourth.
Verstappen’s stratospheric ascent continues unabated, main his closest competitor Perez by a staggering 138 factors with a handful of races remaining.
Red Bull’s lead over Mercedes grows to a thunderous 285 factors, whereas Aston Martin stands an extra 40 factors adrift, keeping off Ferrari by 14 factors in a battle that’s as intense because the roaring engines on race day.
Verstappen shared his feelings, saying, “Incredible. They didn’t make it easy for us with the weather to make all the right calls.”
The 25-year-old maestro was not shy about revealing his emotions, “Even with all the bad weather, the rain, the fans are still going at it. So an incredible atmosphere.”
Verstappen’s eleventh victory of the season, his forty sixth profession win, wasn’t only a victory lap – it was a clarion name to future, bringing him nearer to a 3rd championship title lengthy earlier than the ultimate lap of the season.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz discovered his rhythm in fifth place, whereas the ever-resilient Lewis Hamilton claimed sixth for Mercedes.
The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Alex Albon locked in seventh and eighth, respectively, like modern-day gladiators pushing their machines to the restrict.
The rain-soaked canvas of Zandvoort unveiled surprises, with New Zealander Liam Lawson debuting in type, securing thirteenth place and showcasing his prowess alongside teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
The iconic circuit wasn’t with out its missteps; Charles Leclerc’s retirement and a 10-second penalty solely added to the drama, proving that even on the planet of velocity, the unpredictable reigns supreme.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
