Nico Rosberg: Max Verstappen 'got lucky' in massive Zandvoort crash

Max Verstappen's home race at Zandvoort ended on the opening lap, and Nico Rosberg believes the four-time champion was lucky to escape a far worse outcome. Spinning at the banked final corner on a damp-but-drying track, the Red Bull driver hit the outside wall and slid back across the racing line as the pack arrived. A red flag followed; he was unhurt, but Rosberg warned of a potential multi-car crash.

Why it matters:

Zandvoort was hosting its final F1 round for the foreseeable future, making Verstappen's early exit an anticlimactic send-off. It was also a reminder of how treacherous mixed conditions can be.

The details:

• Starting seventh, Verstappen touched a wet patch on slicks, applied too much throttle and hit the wall.
• The impact tore off a wheel and destroyed the right-side suspension; Pierre Gasly took evasive action as the stricken RB22 slid into the path of the field.
• "He's the greatest driver out there... probably that was Max's mistake," Rosberg said.
• Verstappen accepted blame, calling it a "typical driver error" and saying the cars behind were lucky.

What's next:

It capped a miserable weekend for Red Bull: Verstappen was sixth in the sprint and seventh on the grid, half a second off Norris' pole. Norris won comfortably from Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Verstappen will look to reset next time out, but can Red Bull close the gap to McLaren?