Max Verstappen has been confirmed to be uninjured after suffering a huge crash during the opening lap of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on Sunday.
The Red Bull driver’s home race came to a dramatic end after he lost control of his RB22 at the heavily banked final corner. The circuit remained damp in places following rain before the race, and Verstappen appeared to be caught out by a slippery section as he approached the final turn. (Reuters)
Verstappen’s car hit the outside concrete barrier heavily before sliding back across the circuit and making a second impact with the inside wall. The collision caused significant damage to the Red Bull and scattered debris across the track, forcing race control to deploy the red flag and temporarily halt the Grand Prix.
Despite the severity of the crash, Verstappen was able to climb out of the wrecked car without assistance. He immediately reassured his team over the radio, confirming that he was okay. (The Peninsula Newspaper)
Because of the forces involved in the accident, Verstappen was taken for a mandatory medical assessment. RacingNews365 reported that the four-time world champion did not suffer any injuries and was later seen in the Red Bull energy station before carrying out his media duties. (RacingNews365)
The health update will come as a major relief to Red Bull and Verstappen’s huge home support, particularly given the spectacular nature of the accident. The Dutchman was fortunate that no other car collided with him as his Red Bull crossed the track. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was forced to take evasive action to avoid the stranded car. (Motorsport)
Verstappen had already revealed earlier in the weekend that he had been feeling unwell, describing flu-like symptoms. However, he indicated before the race that his physical condition had improved compared with Saturday. (RacingNews365)
The crash nevertheless ended what was expected to be an emotional Dutch Grand Prix for Verstappen. With Zandvoort hosting its final F1 race for the foreseeable future, the Red Bull star had hoped to give his home fans another memorable performance.
Instead, his afternoon ended almost immediately. While the result was a major disappointment, the immediate priority was Verstappen’s safety, and the latest reports confirm that he walked away from the spectacular crash without injury. (RacingNews365)
