Lewis Hamilton Describes 'Painful' Zandvoort Crash Amid Ferrari's Double DNF Nightmare

Lewis Hamilton has described his early exit from the Dutch Grand Prix as a 'painful' moment, marking a rare driver error for the experienced driver.

Why it matters:

Ferrari endured a nightmare at Zandvoort, suffering a double DNF. Lewis Hamilton's crash and Charles Leclerc's collision meant no points for the team, highlighting a challenging weekend for the Scuderia.

The details:

• Hamilton's Rare Error: Hamilton's race ended on Lap 23 when he crashed into the barriers at Turn 3. He stated he could "count on one hand" the number of times he has made such a mistake in his career.
• Driver's Perspective: "I lost the rear end of the bank, and that was it," Hamilton explained. Despite the setback, he expressed positivity, saying, "I felt lots of positives. I felt like I was making progress. I was catching the car ahead." However, he acknowledged the pain: "To come away with nothing is definitely painful."
• Leclerc's Collision: Charles Leclerc's race ended on Lap 53 after a collision with Kimi Antonelli. Leclerc, currently fifth in the standings, attributed the incident to Antonelli, calling his approach "a bit too much" aggressive, but noted it was "just a mistake which can happen the first year or the fifth year."

The big picture:

This marks Ferrari's first double DNF since the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, underscoring a difficult period for the team in a season where they aim to compete at the top.