A week after a terrible washout in Belgium, pole-seater Verstappen controlled the race from the start in the hot sun at the beach resort of Zandvoort.
Max: “Expectations were so high here and it’s not always easy. But it’s an amazing feeling and the rush here… https://t.co/qQP3oTcQkF
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His seventh win in 13 races this season converted a three-point deficit over seven-time world champion Hamilton into a three-point lead ahead of Monza next weekend.
The King of Zandvoort #DutchGP #F1 @Max33Verstappen https://t.co/NZVwmcevrw
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Hamilton settled for second, setting the fastest lap on the final lap to earn a consolation bonus point. mercedes team mates valtteri A distant third Bottas.
The party has started in the Netherlands #DutchGP #F1 @Max33Verstappen https://t.co/Wo2adTNw65
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“As you can already hear, it’s just unbelievable,” said Verstappen, roared by nearly 70,000 orange-clad fans at a circuit where the eventual winner for McLaren 36 years ago was Niki Lauda.
“Expectations were high over the weekend, I’m so happy to win here. It’s such an amazing day, the whole crowd, incredible.”
Verstappen, who earned half the points for his victory on two laps behind the safety car at Spa last Sunday, pulled through on the opening lap here, keeping Hamilton in his rear-view mirror and rising clear.
A narrow track with punishing deep gravel nets made overtaking difficult, prompting Mercedes to use different strategies for Hamilton and Bottas to increase the pressure on Verstappen.
But on a day when Verstappen showed Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima around the Red Bull garage, the 23-year-old put on a royal display to remove Hamilton at the top.
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