Formula 1 has returned to Zandvoort this weekend after an exciting race week at Spa where the constructor’s championship leaders, Redbull, managed to bag a 1-2 win. Last time, Max Verstappen led his teammate Sergio Perez and Scuderia Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to win the 2022 Belgium Grand Prix.
As we wind up the first practice session today, the result stands in favour of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. George Russell (1:12.455) led his teammate and the seven times world champion, Lewis Hamilton, by 0.24 seconds to grab the pole, confirming a solid start to this weekend for the UK-based racing team. Following both is Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who managed to clock a lap time of 1:12.845 while still keeping them as the front runners.
Sadly, Max Verstappen had to retire his car after the gearbox failure. However, this being his home race, let’s expect a stronger comeback from the Dutch driver in the next few sessions.
Also, with every coming week viewers have been witnessing several controversies. Putting an end to last week’s radio message that was broadcasted in daylight, Alpine’s Fernando Alonso apologised to Lewis Hamilton explaining that it was a statement given in the heat of the moment. Both the drivers collided in Spa which resulted in the early retirement of Lewis Hamilton.
Look who stopped by. 😉 pic.twitter.com/dqpvmrBjfh
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 1, 2022
While addressing the media, Fernando Alonso said, “Obviously you should be aware that it should be broadcasted, but it’s like if someone makes a hard tackle or something in football. In that moment you say something to your teammate or whatever, and in that moment it’s not broadcasted. Before the race or after the race, I said what I was thinking. On the radio, I said something that I was not…I don’t think that way.”
Planning to witness the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix in the comfort of your home? Watch the live action on 4th September starting at 6:30 PM only on Star Sports and Disney+Hotstar.