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Max Verstappen has revealed Sebastian Vettel told him he will break his record of nine consecutive victories after the home favourite put his Red Bull on pole position for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix. The unstoppable Verstappen will equal four-time world champion Vettel’s streak from 2013 if he takes the chequered flag in front of 105,000 expectant fans. Verstappen starts his quest from the front after he topped a chaotic wet-dry qualifying session in Zandvoort. Verstappen finished nearly six tenths clear of second-placed Lando Norris with a mighty final lap. George Russell qualified third for Mercedes, one place ahead of Alex Albon – the London-born driver continuing his impressive campaign with Williams. Lewis Hamilton lines up only 13th after he was surprisingly eliminated in Q2. Verstappen dominated the opening half of the season, taking 10 victories from the 12 rounds so far, and he has emerged from the sport’s summer break still as the man to beat. He last failed to win in Azerbaijan on April 30, and it will be a major surprise if his crushing run comes to a halt in front of his orange-clad army. “After five wins in a row, Seb texted me to say, ‘well done with what you are doing at the moment, keep it up, you are going to get the record’,” said Verstappen following his eighth pole of the campaign. “I was like, ‘that’s nine wins in a row, and that is something very impressive’. I never thought I would be able to get to eight. If it is possible tomorrow of course I go for it. “But it is not something that is in the back of my head. I am not in this sport to try and break records. I am just here to win in the moment.” Verstappen is in a league of his own as he closes in on a hat-trick of titles. But it has been suggested that his reign – akin to Michael Schumacher’s emphatic dominance for Ferrari at the turn of the century – has been a turn-off for the sport’s booming fanbase. “It is clear that unpredictability is what makes the sport exciting,” said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. “You want to look at the television on Sunday and see a fight. That is not the case at the moment. “But that is because one team and one driver are doing a much better job than anybody else, and we need to acknowledge that.” While Verstappen has been aided by his all-conquering Red Bull machine, it is worth noting that his team-mate Sergio Perez – the only other driver to win a race this year – qualified seventh here, 1.3 seconds behind in the same car. Qualifying started on a wet track before a dry line emerged for Q3. Two red flags followed as Logan Sargeant and Charles Leclerc crashed out. By this stage, Hamilton was back in the Mercedes garage. The seven-time world champion appeared to be impeded by AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and he failed to post a time fast enough to progress to Q3. The incident was noted by the stewards, but Hamilton did not feel he lost time. However, Wolff added: “Tsunoda is a nice guy but he clearly impeded Lewis. “The answer is to penalise. If you know you don’t go to prison for cheating tax, you cheat the tax. I don’t understand why these things are not penalised. “You could say Lewis dived on the inside and it didn’t cost him much. But going from a dry line, to a wet line, and back to a dry line costs time and a tenth of a second would have put him into Q3. “We need to be harsh on penalties and then people will start looking in their mirrors.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers in F1 history – Lando Norris Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix after breaking wrist in practice Daniel Ricciardo to miss Dutch Grand Prix after suffering broken wrist in crash

Max Verstappen delighted his home crowd by taking pole position for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix. In an incident-packed wet-dry session, the unstoppable double world champion delivered a crushing lap to finish half-a-second clear of Lando Norris, who qualified second for McLaren. George Russell will start from third place for Mercedes with the impressive Alex Albon fourth. Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 and will line up from only 13th spot in Zandvoort. “It was a very tricky qualifying session,” said Verstappen. “It was all about putting your laps in and staying out of trouble and we managed that quite well. “The pressure is always there to perform but when you pull it off it’s incredible.” Q3 was red-flagged twice. First when Logan Sargeant crashed out in his Williams. The American rookie lost control of his machine on the entry to Turn 2, sending him into the gravel and then the tyre wall. Sargeant, 22, emerged unscathed from the accident but the force of the impact contributed to significant damage on the front of his machine. The running was suspended for 20 minutes as Sargeant’s stricken Williams was removed and the barriers were repaired. A dry line had emerged and it was Norris who put his McLaren at the top of the order before Charles Leclerc put his Ferrari into the wall. Leclerc carried too much speed into the ninth bend and ran onto the grass and then into the Armco. A six-minute stoppage followed with just four minutes and five seconds left on the clock, with Norris hoping to hold on to claim only his second career pole. Norris said: “Every now and then you hope Max makes a mistake, but he doesn’t, so frustrating in a little way. But I’m very happy. The team did a good job and I will take P2.” Russell, seven tenths behind Verstappen, said: “We are in a great place tomorrow to battle for a podium. “I’m sure Max will have his Sunday drive and be waving to the crowd but I hope to have a good fight with Lando, Alex and the rest of the boys.” But Verstappen delivered an emphatic answer by racing to top spot with his final lap to huge roars from the Orange Army. On Sunday, he will bid to match Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive wins. Hamilton revealed in the build-up to Sunday’s race that his goal for the second half of the season was to take runner-up spot in the championship. But on Formula One’s return from its summer slumber, the seven-time world champion – who is currently fourth in the standings – will start way down the order following a disappointing qualifying session. The British driver, 38, appeared to be impeded by AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda on his final run in Q2 and failed to deliver a time speedy enough to progress. The stewards have noted the incident, but Hamilton, 41 points adrift of Sergio Perez, who is currently best of the rest behind team-mate Verstappen, now faces an uphill task to salvage a respectable result. Fernando Alonso qualified fifth for Aston Martin, one place ahead of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, with Perez only seventh, 1.3 seconds behind team-mate Verstappen. Liam Lawson has been handed his F1 debut here as a substitute for Daniel Ricciardo. The 34-year-old Australian suffered a broken left wrist in a practice crash on Friday and has been ruled out of this weekend’s race with the prospect of missing further rounds, too. In Ricciardo’s absence, New Zealander Lawson, 21, will start his maiden F1 race from 20th and last. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers in F1 history – Lando Norris Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix after breaking wrist in practice Daniel Ricciardo to miss Dutch Grand Prix after suffering broken wrist in crash

Max Verstappen topped a rain-interrupted final practice session for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix. The concluding hour before qualifying was red-flagged on three occasions following a series of accidents in the tricky conditions at Zandvoort. With the session a little more than 10 minutes old, Kevin Magnussen spun out in his Haas at Turn 3, before Zhou Guanyu beached his Alfa Romeo at the penultimate corner. Liam Lawson – the New Zealander making his Formula One debut as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo who suffered a broken wrist in practice – then performed a pirouette heading into the main straight. Lawson, 21, grazed the tyre wall on the opposing side of the circuit which led to a third stoppage. When the action resumed, Verstappen, who is bidding to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories, set an impressive pace in front of his home crowd. The Red Bull driver finished three tenths clear of George Russell, with the Mercedes driver the only man within one second of Verstappen. Sergio Perez took third spot, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso with Lewis Hamilton fifth for Mercedes. Qualifying takes place at 3pm local time (2pm BST) with the unsettled weather conditions forecast to continue throughout the day. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Formula 1 returns after a four-week summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend. Max Verstappen claimed his eighth grand prix victory in a row last time out in Belgium and now returns to his home track, where he won last year and on its return to the calendar in 2021. The Dutchman is cruising to a third F1 world championship this season and currently holds a 125-point lead to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. Dutch Grand Prix PREVIEW: Can anyone beat Max Verstappen? Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult weekend in Belgium and at Zandvoort will be looking to claim a first race win since Saudi Arabia in December 2021. The Mercedes star is one point behind third-placed Fernando Alonso in the championship. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed the final podium spot at Spa-Francorchamps which moved him up to fifth in the standings, level on points with Mercedes’ George Russell, while McLaren’s Lando Norris will be targeting a third podium in four races. Follow live practice updates with The Independent Read More Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton gives blunt response to Felipe Massa’s legal action over 2008 F1 title Charles Leclerc gives gloomy prediction on how quick Ferrari will catch Red Bull

Lando Norris said Max Verstappen’s dominance should not be taken for granted, hailing the Red Bull star as one of the greatest Formula One drivers that has ever lived. Verstappen has won 10 of the 12 rounds so far and he will match Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories if, as widely expected, he triumphs again in front of 105,000 supporters at his home race in the Netherlands on Sunday. The 25-year-old has starred since F1’s regulations were overhauled at the start of last season, with his comfortable victory at the concluding round before the break in Belgium his 19th from his last 23 outings. He is a staggering 125 points clear in the standings as he closes in on a hat-trick of titles. But it has been suggested that Verstappen’s reign in his all-conquering Red Bull machine – akin to Michael Schumacher’s emphatic dominance for Ferrari at the turn of the century – has been a turn-off for the sport’s booming fanbase. However, McLaren’s Norris, a close friend of Verstappen’s, said: “We should definitely enjoy witnessing something like this. That’s better then just complaining because he’s doing so well. “Of course, it would be nice to see him battle a bit more and work for a living more, but he proved enough of that when he raced Lewis (Hamilton) for the championship in 2021. “He showed what a fighter he is and I can say without doubt that he is easily one of the best drivers ever. We shouldn’t take him for granted.” In the build-up to this weekend’s event, Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect that Verstappen could win the 10 concluding races of the season. There is even an outside chance that the Dutchman could wrap up the title at the Japanese Grand Prix on September 24, with half-a-dozen rounds still to run. Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez started the year with two wins from four but his challenge faded rapidly. “Everyone has their days when they are beatable and I think Max has that, too,” added Norris. “But it’s just that no one is able to prove it because no one is close enough. The closest guy should be his team-mate and he isn’t doing it. “So, I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the rest of the races this year. I don’t think anyone would be surprised to be honest with you. “It would be an incredible achievement to win nine in a row and he is definitely capable of doing it. “Max has said many times that his career might not last long. He’s a guy that just wants to do what he enjoys. As soon as he doesn’t enjoy it he could be out of here. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

Daniel Ricciardo has been ruled out of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix after suffering a broken wrist in practice. The 34-year-old Australian, in only his third race back on the grid, crashed out of second practice in Zandvoort. He will be replaced in the AlphaTauri by Liam Lawson with the New Zealander to make his Formula One debut. Lando Norris denied Max Verstappen a practice double by setting the pace for Sunday’s grand prix – after Ricciardo crashed out and was taken to hospital. “After today’s incident during Free Practice 2 in Zandvoort, in which Daniel Ricciardo hit the barrier at Turn 3, he was brought to the local hospital and further examinations were carried out,” an AlphaTauri statement read. “An X-ray confirmed he sustained a break to a metacarpal on his left hand, and this injury will not allow him to continue his duties, so he will be replaced by the team’s reserve driver Liam Lawson for the remainder of this weekend. “The team wishes him all the best for the quickest possible recovery.” More than 300,000 spectators will descend on the coastal town of Zandvoort, 30 miles outside of Amsterdam, as Formula One emerges from its summer slumber. The majority of whom will do so in the expectation of watching Verstappen march to his ninth consecutive victory – equalling a record set by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull in 2013 – as he closes in on a hat-trick of world championships. But McLaren’s Norris raised the suggestion he could spoil Verstappen’s homecoming party after he ended the day with the fastest time. While practice speed is treated with caution, the British driver edged out Verstappen, who was fastest in the first running, by just 0.023 seconds. The impressive Alex Albon finished third for Williams, one place ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion finished three tenths adrift in his Mercedes with team-mate George Russell only 14th in the order. “That was a great day for me,” said Hamilton. “I woke up this morning so excited to get back in the car and from the first lap it felt like we had a good starting point to work from. “The car is feeling more competitive here, so we want to hold on to that and see if we can extract more for tomorrow.” The second session was suspended after just 10 minutes when Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Ricciardo crashed out at the same corner. Australian Piastri, who has enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign, lost control of his McLaren through the banked left-handed Turn 3 before slamming into the barriers. Moments later, Ricciardo, who appeared distracted by the sight of Piastri’s wounded McLaren, locked up under braking before following his compatriot into the tyre wall. “Ah f***, my hand, f***,” the 34-year-old said over the radio after the incident. Both men played no further part in the running as their damaged cars were towed back to their respective garages. Ricciardo was still holding the steering wheel as he hit the wall and he was taken to the medical centre. He was then pictured leaving with his left arm in a sling, and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for further checks on his wrist. The Australian will now sit out the remainder of the weekend. Red Bull motorsport adviser Dr Helmut Marko said after the crash: “We don’t know exactly what it is yet, but he was in a lot of pain. His wrist has suffered damage, but we have to wait for the diagnosis. “This is a new situation for us. We will first wait to see how Ricciardo is doing and whether he can drive or not, and then we discuss who gets in the car.” Ferrari have endured a lacklustre campaign and there was little for the Italian giants to cheer on Friday, with Charles Leclerc 11th and team-mate Carlos Sainz 16th. Ricciardo’s team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda, finished fifth with Pierre Gasly sixth and Sergio Perez, 125 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship, seventh. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Haas announce Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg staying for 2024 F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Daniel Ricciardo breaks metacarpal in left hand Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo has been ruled out of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix after breaking his wrist in practice on Friday. The Australian, who returned to Formula 1 with AlphaTauri last month, hit the barrier in second practice after compatriot Oscar Piastri collided with the wall at the same corner moments earlier. It was later confirmed on Friday evening that Ricciardo had broken his wrist. Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, 21, will replace Ricciardo for qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday in what will be his full F1 debut. Ricciardo immediately clutched his wrist after the incident and was taken to a local hospital with his hand in a sling. The 34-year-old was only making his third appearance of the season after replacing Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s sister team in July. “Ah f***, my hand, f***,” Ricciardo said over the radio after the incident. Both Piastri and Ricciardo played no further part in the running as their damaged cars were towed back to their respective garages. Ricciardo was still holding the steering wheel as he hit the wall, and he was taken to the medical centre. He was then pictured leaving with his left arm in a sling, and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for further checks on his wrist. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed on Friday night that Ricciardo had broken his wrist. As for Lawson the 21-year-old has only appeared in three FP1 sessions before in Formula 1. The New Zealander is currently racing in Super Formula in Japan, having finished third in Formula 2 last year. He will fill in for Ricciardo as Yuki Tsunoda’s team-mate at Zandvoort and will only have one practice session on Saturday morning to get up to speed before qualifying in the afternoon. Read More F1 returns with the now inevitable question: can anyone beat Max Verstappen? Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo crash in Dutch Grand Prix practice F1 2023 mid-season awards: Best driver, worst race and biggest surprise F1 returns with the now inevitable question: can anyone beat Max Verstappen? Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo crash in Dutch Grand Prix practice F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns

Lando Norris denied Max Verstappen a practice double by setting the pace for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix – after Daniel Ricciardo crashed out and was taken to hospital. More than 300,000 spectators will descend on the coastal town of Zandvoort, 30 miles outside of Amsterdam, as Formula One emerges from its summer slumber. The majority of whom will do so in the expectation of watching Verstappen march to his ninth consecutive victory – equalling a record set by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull in 2013 – as he closes in on a hat-trick of world championships. But McLaren’s Norris raised the suggestion he could spoil Verstappen’s homecoming party after he ended the day with the fastest time. While practice speed is treated with caution, the British driver edged out Verstappen, who was fastest in the first running, by just 0.023 seconds. The impressive Alex Albon finished third for Williams, one place ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion finished three tenths adrift in his Mercedes with team-mate George Russell only 14th in the order. The second session was suspended after just 10 minutes when Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Ricciardo crashed out at the same corner. Australian Piastri, who has enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign, lost control of his McLaren through the banked left-handed Turn 3 before slamming into the barriers. Moments later, Ricciardo, who appeared distracted by the sight of Piastri’s wounded McLaren, locked up under braking before following his compatriot into the tyre wall. “Ah f***, my hand, f***,” the 34-year-old said over the radio after the incident. Both men played no further part in the running as their damaged cars were towed back to their respective garages. Ricciardo was still holding the steering wheel as he hit the wall, and he was taken to the medical centre. He was then pictured leaving with his left arm in a sling, and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for further checks on his wrist, raising some doubt over his participation for the remainder of the weekend. Ferrari have endured a lacklustre campaign and there was little for the Italian giants to cheer on Friday, with Charles Leclerc 11th and team-mate Carlos Sainz 16th. Ricciardo’s team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda, finished fifth with Pierre Gasly sixth and Sergio Perez, 125 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship, seventh. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Haas announce Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg staying for 2024 F1 returns with the now inevitable question: can anyone beat Max Verstappen? F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns

When the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021 – after a 36-year absence – organisers could frankly not have foreseen a future more favourable. A Dutch race reincarnated by-and-large due to a Dutch hero, timed exquisitely for his era of ultra-domination. To the extent that, now, anything other than a Max Verstappen triumph come Sunday would be as big a shock as Formula 1 has seen all season. Verstappen-mania in the Netherlands has long been at fever pitch, with the ‘Orange Army’ previously travelling across Europe to support the man born in Belgium but with Holland in his heart. But now Zandvoort, on the coast of the North Sea, sees thousands make the journey from Amsterdam and beyond to revel and rave in this electro-music, orange-clad razzmatazz amid the sand dunes. Verstappen, coasting to a third-straight F1 championship title this season with a 125-point lead with 10 races remaining, is on track to break more ground. Win on Sunday and he will equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories from 10 years ago, also set while at Red Bull. On Friday, fresh from a four-week break, he set down an ominous marker by going fastest in first practice – and only marginally sniffed out of first spot in practice two by his friend Lando Norris, a session delayed by a bizarre double-crash involving Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo. Formula 1’s return in the Netherlands this weekend feels all the more appropriate given the sheer levels Verstappen is reaching this season. The 25-year-old is on track to reach a half-century knock of victories by the time the year is out – he is currently on 45 with 10 to go – and powered by a Red Bull which is the standout car this year, nothing has stopped his ascent to near-perfection. Not even his team-mate Sergio Perez, armed with the same machinery, has proved a match for Verstappen. Since Azerbaijan in April, Verstappen has won eight races on the trot – 10 if you include sprints – and has been repeatedly unfazed on the occasions he has not started on pole, simply picking off his rivals with supreme ease when needed. Saturdays do offer the chasing pack a glimmer of hope, though. If there is any weakness in this Verstappen-Red Bull partnership, it is qualifying. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have claimed pole position this season, with Fernando Alonso a shave away in Monaco too. For Leclerc though, speaking to the media on Thursday, it mattered not an an iota. In fact, the pessimism made for a grim forecast for all non-Verstappen fans out there: two-and-a-half years of the current trajectory continuing. “They [Red Bull] have a really big margin,” the Ferrari driver said. “It’s going to be very, very difficult to catch them before the change of regulations [in 2026].” Lewis Hamilton was a tad more measured, but remained far from optimistic: “The fact is Red Bull are ahead and they have most likely started development on next year’s car a month before anybody else. It is very, very possible that Charles could be right.” Beyond the expectancy, even inevitability now, of a Verstappen victory on Sunday, there are always potential avenues for something different. Rain is forecast, intermittently, over the next two days which could bring some unpredictability. The last two races in Zandvoort have been close-run affairs, though ultimately Verstappen ended up on top of the podium. A non-Red Bull pole-sitter would certainly make at least the early stages intriguing. But the man who is on track to be one of the Netherlands’ biggest sporting stars ever does not feel any burden. “It doesn’t bring a weight on my shoulders of extra pressure,” he said on Thursday. “"It is just amazing to be here, see all of the fans and drive such an incredible track. “Hopefully it [the race] will continue for a while,” A third championship is simply a matter of when for Verstappen and Red Bull. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin are in their own battle for second-place. The more pertinent question now, for the history-books, is can anybody stop them? And can they really complete an unprecedented perfect season? Read More Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo crash in Dutch Grand Prix practice Lewis Hamilton gives blunt response to Felipe Massa’s legal action over 2008 F1 title Charles Leclerc gives gloomy prediction on how quick Ferrari will catch Red Bull Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo crash in Dutch Grand Prix practice F1 Dutch Grand Prix: When is practice on Friday in Zandvoort? F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns

Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo both hit the wall within moments of each other at the same corner during Friday practice at the Dutch Grand Prix. Piastri, who replaced Ricciardo at McLaren this year, spun at turn 3 – the famed banked corner at this Zandvoort circuit – early in the second practice session. Then, fellow Australian driver Ricciardo came storming round and himself swerved into the wall, likely put off by the stricken McLaren in front of him. Second practice was red-flagged as a result, with both drivers unharmed but out of the session. Friday was Piastri’s first running in an F1 car at Zandvoort in his rookie season, while it was only Ricciardo’s third race back after his return to the sport with AlphaTauri. Piastri, a test driver at Alpine last year, took Ricciardo’s seat at McLaren in controversial circumstances following a dispute with Alpine. Earlier on Friday, Max Verstappen was quickest in first practice as he targets a record-equalling ninth consecutive victory this weekend. Read More F1 Dutch Grand Prix: When is practice on Friday in Zandvoort? F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns Lewis Hamilton fears ‘high chance’ Max Verstappen will win 10 remaining races

Max Verstappen picked up where he left off by posting the fastest time in opening practice for the Dutch Grand Prix. Verstappen, who has won 10 of the 12 rounds so far and will match Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories if he triumphs again on Sunday, finished 0.278 seconds clear of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton took third spot for Mercedes, three tenths adrift of Verstappen, with Sergio Perez fourth in the other Red Bull. Verstappen dominated the opening half of the Formula One season to establish a 125-point championship lead in his pursuit of a third straight world title. On Thursday, Hamilton raised the prospect of the Dutchman winning all of the remaining 10 rounds, and on the evidence of the first running, he will head into the weekend in front of an expectant Zandvoort crowd as the clear favourite to continue his commanding streak. For Hamilton, the seven-time world champion said his goal for the second half of the season is to finish runner-up in the drivers’ standings. The 38-year-old is currently fourth, 41 points behind Perez, who occupies second spot, and he will be relatively pleased with his opening salvo. Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished 11th, the best part of a second down. Haas announced ahead of this weekend’s race that Nico Hulkenberg will be retained for a second term with the American team. But the veteran German crashed out of practice after losing control of his machine through the penultimate corner. With his Haas beached in the gravel, the running was suspended. Over at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc was only 16th, three spots ahead of Robert Shwartzman, a junior driver for the Italian team who stood in for Carlos Sainz for first practice. McLaren driver Lando Norris finished sixth, one place behind Williams’ Alex Albon. Second practice gets under way at 4pm local time (3pm BST). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Haas announce Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg staying for 2024 F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times as Formula 1 returns Max Verstappen posts fastest time in first practice for Dutch Grand Prix

Formula 1 returns after a four-week summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort at the end of August. Max Verstappen claimed his eighth grand prix victory in a row last time out in Belgium and now returns to his home track, where he won last year and on its return to the calendar in 2021. The Dutchman is cruising to a third F1 world championship this season and currently holds a 125-point lead to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. F1 2023 mid-season awards: Best driver, worst race and biggest surprise Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult weekend in Belgium and at Zandvoort will be looking to claim a first race win since Saudi Arabia in December 2021. The Mercedes star is one point behind third-placed Fernando Alonso in the championship. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed the final podium spot at Spa-Francorchamps which moved him up to fifth in the standings, level on points with Mercedes’ George Russell, while McLaren’s Lando Norris will be targeting a third podium in four races. Follow live practice updates with The Independent Read More Lewis Hamilton gives blunt response to Felipe Massa’s legal action over 2008 F1 title Charles Leclerc gives gloomy prediction on how quick Ferrari will catch Red Bull