Why it matters:
The opening free practice sessions at Zandvoort set the stage for a dramatic Dutch Grand Prix, highlighting strong contenders and teams facing unexpected challenges, alongside numerous on-track incidents.
The big picture:
McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated both practice sessions, signaling strong form. Conversely, Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton expressed severe frustration with their car's performance, declaring they were "miles away" from the pace.
The details:
- FP2 Highlights:
- Pit Lane Collision: Oscar Piastri and George Russell collided in the pit lane. Russell exclaimed, "Fucking Jesus! Oh my God! Piastri turned into the pits, I overtook on the left, and then he just steered into me." His Mercedes car was significantly damaged.
- Stroll's Crash: Lance Stroll crashed heavily in the Hugenholtzbocht, a corner infamous for Daniel Ricciardo's 2023 accident. Stroll was unharmed, but his Aston Martin suffered considerable damage.
- Other Incidents: Isack Hadjar's car suffered a technical failure, and Alexander Albon went off track, contributing to multiple red flags and a Virtual Safety Car period, indicating the challenging nature of the Zandvoort circuit.
- Top Performers: Lando Norris led FP2 with a time of 1:09.890, followed by Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Oscar Piastri. George Russell was fourth, and Max Verstappen finished fifth.
- FP1 Highlights:
- McLaren Leads: Norris also topped FP1 with a 1:10.278 ahead of Piastri.
- Verstappen's Error: Max Verstappen made a rare mistake, sliding into the gravel in the Tarzanbocht during a start practice, though he managed to recover.
- Ferrari's Woes: Both Charles Leclerc (14th) and Lewis Hamilton (15th) were significantly off the pace, with Leclerc reporting issues under full fuel load. The Scuderia appeared to be struggling for answers.
- Rookie Incident: Andrea Kimi Antonelli ended up in the gravel after a braking error at Turn 9, underscoring the learning curve for young drivers.
What's next:
Qualifying and the final free practice session are scheduled for Saturday, as teams look to refine their setups and avoid further incidents on the challenging Zandvoort circuit. The weather forecast could also play a significant role.