Posted in: 03/09/2022 – 17:08Last updated: 03/09/2022 – 17:06
Zandvoort (Netherlands) (AFP) – Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen set the fastest time on Saturday during official practice for the Dutch Grand Prix, which he is playing for the first time at home and in front of his fans as a world champion at Zandvoort, which hosts the fifteenth round of the Formula One World Championship.
Verstappen, the leader in the drivers’ standings and chasing his tenth victory this season, and fourth in a row following the French, Hungary and Belgian awards, overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Spain’s Carlos Sainz in second and third places by 0.021 and 0.092 seconds, respectively.
It is the fourth time this season that the Dutchman has excelled in a “test” on Saturday and the 17th in his career, knowing that he was the fastest in the Belgian race at Spa-Francorchamps last week, but he started from 14th place following receiving a penalty for his team’s replacement of its engine.
Seven times world champion Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, while Mexican Sergio Perez completed the top five, 0.735 seconds behind teammate Verstappen.
The Dutchman commented on his achievement in front of his fans, the “orange army” who flocked to his support, “It is unreasonable! Especially following yesterday (the free trials), where we worked hard at night to turn the equation.”
Indeed, Verstappen failed to impose himself during the three periods of free practice on Friday and Saturday morning, as he suffered during the first with a problem in the gearbox without being able to go out to the track to remain in his team’s podiums for most of the time, before scoring the third fastest time in the last two periods. .
Verstappen leads the standings with 284 points, 93 ahead of his direct chaser Pires, and 98 more than Leclerc III.
On the other hand, Red Bull Racing dominates the constructors’ lead with 475 points ahead of Ferrari (357) and Mercedes (316).
The Dutch Grand Prix, which hosted a World Tour of the first category between 1952 and 1985, was once more on the calendar last year, with the Zandvoort circuit challenging drivers with its short, narrow track and high-speed twisting turns.
It is also difficult to overtake at the Dutch circuit, where the drivers’ rank at the starting line is an important factor in determining who wins Sunday’s race.
Here is the timing of the third period:
1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands/Red Bull) 1:10.342 min
2. Charles Leclerc (Monaco/Ferrari) 1:10.363 d.
3. Carlos Science (Spain/Ferrari) 1:10.434 d.
4. Lewis Hamilton (UK/Mercedes) 1:10.648 d.
5. Sergio Perez (Mexico/Red Bull) 1:11.077 d.
6. George Russell (UK/Mercedes) 1:11.147 Dr.
7. Lando Norris (UK/McLaren) 1:11.174 d.
8. Mick Schumacher (Germany/Haas) 1:11.442 d.
9. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan/Alfatatori) 1:12.556 d.
10. Lance Stroll (Canada/Aston Martin) without timing
© 2022 AFP