A week after the Belgian Grand Prix, F1 stops in Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix. The home round for Max Verstappen, but also the return to a winding circuit, far from the very fast track of Spa-Francorchamps.
For this Free Practice 1, the FIA and F1 have decided to have the drivers test an early opening of the DRS, before turn 14. A decision intended to understand the risks of using the drag reduction system in the banked corner which completes the circuit.
For these EL1s, some drivers drove with asymmetrical single-seaters, because the teams were asked to test new mirrors to establish a direct comparison with the current ones. Bigger, they are designed to improve rear vision, one of the major weaknesses of current F1 cars.
In terms of developments, Alpine F1 has brought a package adapted to the Zandvoort circuit, with a front wing and a rear wing revised for the occasion. This is also the case at AlphaTauri, which has a new rear wing.
On the Alfa Romeo side, new brake scoops have been installed at the rear of the car. These should allow the air to be better redirected to the diffuser, while not reducing the cooling of the brakes. Finally, Williams brought only revised front wing vertical fins.
The Dutch public haven’t seen much Verstappen
From the start of the session, Verstappen took to the track, followed by many drivers. The first few minutes saw the Dutchman, but also the McLarens of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris, taking turns in first place.
Mick Schumacher missed his braking at turn 11 and was able to join the track without problems. He was imitated in the same place by his teammate, Kevin Magnussen, a few minutes later. The two Haas suffered no damage.
Verstappen then took the lead in 1’14″714, still equipped with hard rubber, but the Red Bull driver suffered a gearbox problem. He immobilized his RB18 on the track and triggered the stoppage of the session, the time that his single-seater is evacuated.
Schumacher was sent to the track as the red flag was raised but race management decided not to open an investigation. Haas F1 is doing well, because it is still a dangerous situation.
After the restart, Alonso accelerated with the soft tires in 1’13″635. Alex Albon placed second by one second, but it was Lando Norris who took the lead in 1’12″929, while Sergio Pérez moved up to third place.
Carlos Sainz beat Norris’ benchmark in 1’12.845, also on soft rubber, setting the absolute best time in the second sector. Ricciardo took third position and Schumacher sixth.
Alonso took fourth position, while Ricciardo added himself to the list of drivers who missed turn 11, which was not serious for him either. Esteban Ocon settled in sixth, while Lewis Hamilton hampered Kevin Magnussen and Charles Leclerc.
The latter moved up to fourth place in soft rubber, two tenths behind Sainz, but he was beaten by George Russell, who took third position, between the two McLarens. The top 10 was now made up of drivers who had run on soft tyres.
Russell then moved into first place in 1’12″455, shortly before Hamilton improved in turn and positioned himself just behind his teammate, at 0″240. Mercedes F1 regularly complains about an incomprehensible W13, and that should not change with these performances, which are more like those of Hungary at the moment.
Russell and Hamilton therefore finished the session in the lead ahead of Sainz, Norris, Ricciardo and Leclerc. Pérez is seventh ahead of the Alpines of Alonso and Ocon, then Albon, who complete the top 10 of this first session.
Schumacher follows in front of Lance Stroll and Kevin Magnussen, and Pierre Gasly, discreet during this Free Practice 1. Note therefore the breakdown of Verstappen, which begins this weekend with very limited driving.
| Pos. | Pilot | Car | Temps | Tours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | George Russell | Mercedes W13 | 1:12.465 | 29 |
| 02 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes W13 | 1:12.695 | 28 |
| 03 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari F1-75 | 1:12.845 | 30 |
| 04 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes MCL36 | 1:12.829 | 32 |
| 05 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren Mercedes MCL36 | 1:12.929 | 31 |
| 06 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari F1-75 | 1:13.127 | 30 |
| 07 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull RBPT RB18 | 1:13.416 | 30 |
| 08 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine Renault A522 | 1:13.633 | 31 |
| 09 | Stephen Ocon | Alpine Renault A522 | 1:13.963 | 33 |
| 10 | Alex Albon | Williams Mercedes FW44 | 1:14.063 | 29 |
| 11 | Mick Schumacher | Haas Ferrari VF-22 | 1:14.163 | 29 |
| 12 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR22 | 1:14.257 | 30 |
| 13 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari VF-22 | 1:14.405 | 31 |
| 14 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri RBPT AT03 | 1:14.474 | 28 |
| 15 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR22 | 1:14.500 | 28 |
| 16 | Guanyu Zhou | Alfa Romeo Ferrari C42 | 1:14.534 | 18 |
| 17 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri RBPT AT03 | 1:14.630 | 31 |
| 18 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo Ferrari C42 | 1:14.695 | 22 |
| 19 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull RBPT RB18 | 1:14.714 | 7 |
| 20 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams Mercedes FW44 | 1:15.122 | 33 |