The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort started with intensity after rain fell during the grid formation. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen crashed on the first lap, admitting it was a completely his mistake. Despite the wet conditions, he tried to accelerate too early in a part of the track that was still wet.
Additionally, Gabriel Bortoleto miraculously avoided a collision with his Audi after experiencing similar difficulties. His teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, expressed over the radio his concern about possibly colliding with him at the moment of the incident.
After the event, Bortoleto commented that Verstappen’s crash was a consequence of the track conditions, which remained wet in some areas, thus ending any grip expectations.
Drivers’ discourse on the safety procedure
Several drivers criticized the fact that they could not adequately warm up their tires behind the safety car, considering that a normal start would have been more effective. Pierre Gasly suggested that after a formation lap it would be more reasonable to allow a normal start. He emphasized that most of the track was dry, with only the last two corners remaining wet.
According to Gasly, the ideal would have been to choose between a rolling start or a standing start, without the intervention of the safety car. Red Bull driver Liam Lawson agreed that the choice to start with the safety car did not make sense, anticipating the chaos that this could generate.
The FIA’s response
In response to the criticisms, the FIA explained that it acted according to the information available at that moment. Before the race began, a medical car had been sent for a reconnaissance lap, which determined that there was standing water in some corners, including the Thirteen Hugenholtz, which was the first inclined section of the track.
Therefore, the decision to complete the formation lap behind the safety car was based on the safety of the drivers. The drivers, however, insisted that it is important to review these decisions in future races to avoid similar situations.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
