Max Verstappen speaks out after 'disappointing' Lap 1 crash at final Dutch GP
Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Updated: 17:15, 23 Aug
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Max Verstappen has spoken out following a disastrous Lap 1 crash at his final home race at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future. After a tense battle with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and teammate Liam Lawson at at the start, Verstappen spun out on a wet patch at the final corner, bringing his race to a heartbreaking end at Zandvoort.
Speaking to GPblog and others on his race start, Verstappen first addressed the near contact with Hamilton at race start and his close battle with Lawson. "Yeah, well I think the start is just a consequence of what is happening on the right. It's okay, it can happen.
Addressing the Turn 14 crash, Verstappen said: "And then I got caught out, it was still quite wet in that corner and then as soon as I saw the dry patch coming, I was like, now you can accelerate but clearly that didn't work so probably was still a bit too early."
Asked on the level of impact during his crash, Verstappen explained: "It was a decent hit, but I've had worse... I didn't ask (for the G-Force reading.) I just asked, can I not go to the medical center? And they were like, 'It's still below the threshold, so sorry.'"
'A disappointing weekend,' says Verstappen
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Reflecting on the weekend overall, Verstappen said: "Well, I think overall, we had a disappointing weekend, pace wise. We just couldn't really fight with the guys ahead so that's probably the most disappointing part.
"But of course I wish that I could have done a little bit more in the race but looking at the pace that we are showing I don't think it was really possible anyway but yeah still would have liked to race. Still would have liked to try and do a good job but yeah hopefully in Monza we can be a little bit more competitive."
Here is the crash that ended Verstappen's final Dutch GP in heartbreaking fashion:
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