Rosberg: Tighter line and too much throttle caused Verstappen's Dutch GP crash

Nico Rosberg has pinpointed the cause of Max Verstappen's Dutch GP crash: a tighter line through the banked final corner and an over-eager throttle input. The 2016 world champion spoke after Verstappen's race ended on the opening lap in wet-dry conditions at Zandvoort.

Why it matters:

The crash is a rare misstep from a driver widely regarded as the best in the wet, and it ended his final home race before Zandvoort leaves the calendar. With the championship battle open, losing points at a circuit Verstappen has dominated could prove costly.

The details:

• Rosberg agreed with Karun Chandhok that Verstappen took a tighter line, deviating from the dry line by roughly 50cm.
• Rosberg noted the conditions were incredibly difficult, saying Max was tighter than everyone else and applied too much throttle.
• That combination sent the Red Bull RB22 spearing into the wall, triggering red flags.
• Verstappen, the four-time champion, walked away unhurt from the high-impact crash.
• Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto also spun at Turn 14, forcing teammate Nico Hulkenberg into rapid evasive action.
• Verstappen admitted he "got caught out," thinking the dry patch was ready for full throttle but it was "still a bit too early."

What's next:

Rosberg noted that even the greatest can be caught out, saying: 'He's the greatest of the moment... That just goes to show how difficult it is out there.' Verstappen's focus now shifts to the next round after a disappointing home farewell.