Rosberg: Verstappen lucky to escape multi-car crash in Dutch GP

Max Verstappen's home race ended in a violent opening-lap crash, and 2016 champion Nico Rosberg believes the Red Bull driver was lucky to avoid a far worse outcome. The four-time champion lost control in damp conditions at Zandvoort, triggering a red flag and ending his race. No other cars were collected, though Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto spun behind him in an unrelated moment.

Why it matters:

Verstappen scored just three points from the sprint race, leaving him sixth in the standings and 130 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli. With Red Bull clearly off the pace, the Dutchman's title hopes are all but over, and attention is turning to 2026.

The details:

• Rosberg, speaking on Sky Sports F1, said Verstappen was fortunate: "If he spins and remains in the middle of the track and you have the whole pack coming at full speed, that could be a multi-car massive shunt."
• The crash happened on lap 1 in tricky conditions. Rosberg noted that even the best can misjudge grip.
• Verstappen admitted the weekend highlighted Red Bull's position: "If you look at the average, the whole season we have been fourth fastest."
• He confirmed the team is already looking toward next year, with some changes only possible for 2026.

What's next:

Verstappen says he'll try to maximize the current car, but expects a tough end to the season. Monza might suit Red Bull better, but the real focus is on finding significant performance gains for next year.