Conclusions | New contract doesn't help Perez, Verstappen equal with Hamilton

The Dutch Grand Prix was one big party. Formula 1 now describes the event in Zandvoort as the benchmark for all other races, and that is a huge compliment. Read here the conclusions after this successful event, which was won by none other than Max Verstappen.

Racing in Zandvoort does create excitement

People predicted that Zandvoort would be a parade. And it kind of was. There wasn't the kind of constant overtaking that we are used to on a circuit like Monza or Baku, but the race in Zandvoort did create tension. Every mistake on this circuit is punished, so you have to stay focused for 72 laps. And the push laps from the drivers look spectacular with the banking and brilliant camera shots located around the circuit. 

Contract extension not helping Perez

Sergio Perez announced prior to the Belgian Grand Prix that he could stay with Red Bull Racing for longer, but that hasn't paid off in terms of giving him extra confidence in his RB16B. During qualifying, Perez may have had some bad luck in the crowds, but the gap to his teammate was simply too big. He was out in Q1, and that should never happen in a Red Bull car. In Monza, there is a chance to regain honour with a new engine.

Verstappen and Hamilton are almost equal

That Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are not that far from each other, was already clear this season, but was all the more visible in Zandvoort. In qualifying the difference between the two was nil and in the race, Hamilton stayed within three seconds of Max. It made for a very exciting race and showed once again that these two drivers are on a completely different level compared to the rest of the grid.

Alonso hasn't lost his touch

Fernando Alonso shows that age says nothing about your qualities. The two-time world champion is still as eager as when he made his debut and continues to show youngsters how to overtake on the first lap. Overtaking on the outside of the first lap at Hugenholtz curve is of course something only the old master does so well.