Max Verstappen was "lucky" to avoid Dutch GP pile-up, says Nico Rosberg

Lando Norris claimed victory in the concluding Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on Sunday, while Max Verstappen suffered a crash in the opening lap of his final home race. Norris, the reigning world champion, began from pole position and secured the win, surpassing the Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli, who tops this year's championship, and George Russell.

This marked Norris's second consecutive win. Verstappen lost control at the final corner moments after the start and collided with the wall, marking his fourth failure to finish this season. He emerged unharmed from the incident. It was the first time Verstappen did not reach the podium at Zandvoort since the race resumed in 2021; he had won the first three editions and finished second in the last two.

"It was a hard hit, but I've had harder ones," Verstappen commented to reporters. He revealed he had seen a dry line forming and believed he could regain control, yet his plan proved unsuccessful. Frustration stemmed from his performance throughout the weekend, and he expressed optimism for improved results at the upcoming race in Monza.

The race was temporarily suspended to clear the debris. Upon resuming, Antonelli overtook Norris and led for over half the race before Norris reclaimed the lead. On Saturday, Russell had triumphed in the inaugural sprint race held in the Netherlands, with Verstappen securing sixth place. This marked the sixth and final edition of the revived Dutch Grand Prix, which organizers decided to conclude rather than renew, stating their intention to cease while the event was at its peak.

Approximately 105,000 fans attended on Saturday and Sunday; however, Friday did not sell out for the first time, with around 5,000 tickets remaining unsold, according to broadcaster NOS. The first editions necessitated a ballot for entry. King Willem-Alexander presented the trophy. The weekend was also marred by lengthy queues on Friday and overcrowding, causing thousands of fans to be late for Saturday's sprint race.

Sporting director Jan Lammers deemed the six-year run an economic success and a boon for the region. The circuit remains operational and has announced it will host the all-electric Formula E series from 2027. Our gratitude to Dutch News' readers for their generous support in keeping the service free of charge. Our commitment to reporting on issues of importance to you and providing a daily summary of key Dutch news would not be possible without your donations.