Max Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix ended in disappointment after the four-time Formula 1 world champions crashed out on the opening lap at Zandvoort. Verstappen, who started seventh, lost control of his Red Bull on the damp inside of the banking following pre-race showers. The car slid into the outside barriers before moving back across the track and hitting another wall. Verstappen escaped the incident unhurt, while the crash brought out the red flag.
The Dutchman immediately reassured his Red Bull team over the radio that he was okay.
Verstappen reflects on crash
Speaking after the incident, Verstappen said he believed the impact was manageable and suggested that hitting the barrier more frontally was preferable to a sideways impact. “Good. I think I still hit the SAFER barrier maybe, potentially,” Verstappen said. “But I think also a more frontal impact is actually a bit better than a sideways one, so from that sense all okay,” he added.
The early retirement brought a disappointing end to Verstappen’s final home race at Zandvoort. The Dutch Grand Prix is set to leave the F1 calendar after the 2026 edition.
Reflecting on his weekend, Verstappen admitted that it had not gone according to plan. “I think disappointing pace, and a disappointing end to the weekend. I think you can sum it up like that,” he said.
Lando Norris wins Dutch Grand Prix
While Verstappen’s race ended almost immediately, McLaren’s Lando Norris secured victory in an eventful Dutch Grand Prix. Norris started from pole but lost the lead to Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli following the restart after Verstappen’s crash. The McLaren driver eventually regained the advantage with a decisive move around the outside of the first corner on lap 54 of the 72-lap race.
Norris then moved ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton later on the same lap and held on to claim his second consecutive Grand Prix victory after also winning in Hungary. “This fight is still on,” Norris said over the team radio after taking the chequered flag.
The victory kept Norris firmly in the championship battle. He is now 83 points behind Antonelli, who leads the standings with 242 points.
Final Dutch GP ends with McLaren victory
Norris’ victory marked McLaren’s third consecutive Dutch Grand Prix win. The result also brought the curtain down on F1’s current run at Zandvoort. For Verstappen, the weekend ended in stark contrast to his earlier dominance at his home race. He had won the first three Dutch Grands Prix after the event returned to the F1 calendar in 2021, but his final appearance at Zandvoort ended before he could complete a single lap.
Despite the early crash, Verstappen was able to walk away from the incident unharmed, while Norris left Zandvoort with another important victory in the 2026 championship fight.
