MAX VERSTAPPEN WON the Dutch Grand Prix after a furious Lewis Hamilton’s charge for a breath-taking victory was derailed by a Mercedes strategy error.
Hamilton was second when Valtteri Bottas broke down in his Alfa Romeo with 15 laps remaining in Zandvoort.
But while those around him stopped for the speediest soft tyres, Hamilton was left out on old mediums.
Hamilton assumed the lead of the race, but Mercedes’ questionable decision rendered the seven-time world champion a sitting duck, just as in last season’s title decider in Abu Dhabi, when the race resumed on lap 60 of 72.
Verstappen immediately breezed past Hamilton to the delight of his home crowd before the Mercedes driver turned the airwaves blue with a number of radio outbursts directed at his team.
“That was the biggest f*** up,” said Hamilton.
On lap 64, matters would get worse for Hamilton when his team-mate George Russell passed him for second with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc knocking Hamilton off the podium the next lap around. Hamilton crossed the line in fourth.
“I can’t believe you guys, f****** f***** me,” blasted Hamilton. “I can’t tell you how f***** I am.”
Verstappen claimed his fourth win in succession to extend his championship lead over Leclerc to 109 points with seven rounds and 191 points remaining.
The Sky commentators really nailed their colours to the mast today trying to come up with every scenario possible in the hope that Russell and Hamilton would reach the chequered flag first.
@Leonard Barry: imagine British media backing British drivers, you’d wanna tune into Ziggo
There was no chance Hamilton wins after the full Safety Car. Even if they left Russell sandwiched in between (which in theory, they should have), Verstappen would have easily cleared both Mercs in two laps top considering how little grip the Mediums had.
Also, Perez is gonna start putting potential RB wins in jeopardy with performances like this weekend. Very poor
@Darren: 100%, max on same tyres as any Mercedes’ and he’s passing them, Hamilton’s a dose
@Darren: Perez should be doing a lot better considering he has got the best equipment and driving for the best team on the grid, I think Redbull would be better off having Ricardo back at the team but I doubt very much that will happen.
@Leonard Barry: if it was horners decision I could see it being a possibility but Helmut wouldn’t allow it as he lost all respect for him when he walked away from the fight to be no1 at RedBull
@Darren: definitely. Toto Wolff was trying to imply Tsunoda’s admittedly ridiculous incident was somehow on purpose. Wow I used to think that guy was cool. Now he has this “everyone’s out to get us”, attitude.
@Andrew Keane: My thoughts on Mercedes are definitely not suitable for this App so I’ll just leave it there..
@Andrew Keane: ya he’s gone as bad as Horner now with the nonsense conspiracies.
Ferrari doing a Ferrari again today. They really need to up their standards. Sainz will be raging!
Season over