F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Wins Chaotic Zandvoort Race, Equals Vettel’s Consecutive Victory Record

Max Verstappen created F1 history in the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, which featured nonstop action and drama. Even though the race was interrupted by heavy rain and a late red flag, the Red Bull driver ultimately glided home to take his ninth consecutive victory in the sport, the most since Sebastian Vettel established the modern-day record of nine in a row in 2013. The rain that started falling just before the lights went down added an extra layer of drama to this race at Zandvoort. This caused a significant shift in the starting order, as some drivers came in while others remained out. Drivers once again rushed for the pit lane as the safety car intervened after Williams' rookie Logan Sargeant struck the barrier for the second time this weekend. The race subsequently slowed for the next 65 laps, during which time many drivers made spectacular overtakes to regain positions on the starting grid after the first downpour. Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo crashed into the barriers in the first turn, prompting the FIA to throw the red flag and call a temporary stop to the race until the weather eased.

Also Read: F1: Pirelli Proposes 'Super Intermediate' Tyre to Improve Wet Weather Race

F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Race Report

There was a 30-minute delay, and the race continued under the safety car for many circuits until Verstappen used a brilliant restart to pull away from Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez to win his ninth straight race. The Dutchman is still in great shape to win his third World Drivers Championship in 2023 thanks to this. 

Perez crossed the finish line in third, but he was penalised for speeding in the pit lane and demoted to fourth, behind race winner Max Verstappen and runner-up Fernando Alonso. Following Perez and Carlos Sainz in the points-paying places were Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, Oscar Piastri, and Esteban Ocon.

F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Equals Vettel's 9 Consecutive Wins Record

Max Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix for the ninth time in a row, matching Sebastian Vettel's record set in the wet and chaotic 2013 season.  Before next weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Verstappen increased his championship lead from 125 to 138 points, with his unblemished Red Bull team still in the lead. Together with teammate Sergio Perez, Verstappen has won 11 of the season's 13 races, matching the record set by the legendary McLaren partnership of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in 1988. Verstappen has won the last nine Grands Prix since Perez's victory in Azerbaijan, Miami, Monaco, Spain, Canada, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Also Read: F1: Kimi Raikkonen Driven McLaren MP4/21 to be Auctioned at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25

After dominating victories in Spain and Canada, he tied Senna's record of 41 victories and then surpassed it in Austria. His Silverstone triumph put him 99 points ahead in the drivers' standings, while his first-corner pass on Lewis Hamilton in Hungary helped Red Bull set a new record for most straight team victories. When he returned from the summer break, he defeated Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso at the finish line to equal Sebastian Vettel's streak, which was established in 2013.