F1, Russell fastest in Dutch GP free practice ahead of Piastri and Hamilton

The wind is changing. It is strong, tense and different, in Holland. The Red Bull is surrounded, the McLaren sniffs out the prey, the Mercedes he comes forward and the Ferrari try to resist. In a Zandvoort lashed by gusts, wet in the morning and then warmed by the (warm) sun in the afternoon, the Formula 1 restarts for an open and multi-season championship. The first free practice they are a taste of the mutability of the World Cup. Lando Norris leading the morning storm with his further refurbished papaya-colored car, George Russell topped the evening list with the Mercedes with which she would have won at Spa had she not been underweight. Lewis Hamiltonwho thus gained success in Belgium, finished the day 3rd behind McLaren Oscar Platesrecovering from a rib fracture that he has lived with for at least three GPs. The Australian is cutting his teeth, at 23 years old.

Red Bull, the Constructors’ Championship is at risk

Max Verstappen (2nd and 5th) relies on the excellent pace of his blue. He is still the leader of the standings, but no longer undisputed. The Dutchman leads his Red Bull alone at home: Sergio Perez lost (for some time) in the turbulence (12th). Will the Mexican remain in the team until the end of the year? The Constructors’ standings, which the blues still lead with 408 points, are shrinking without his contribution. McLaren is there, with 366 points thanks to both drivers. The team principal of the English team, the Italian Andrea Stardoes not hide: “Lando is World Championship material, yes he can win the championship, it’s a statement, in capital letters”. One day, does not necessarily mean in 2024 where he chases Max at -78 points. There are 10 GPs left until the end of the championship, you should always be perfect and maybe hope for some help from the opponent.

Leclerc ninth, Sainz breaks gearbox

Ferrari, waiting for Monza next week when the team should bring new updates, return to the field gritting their teeth. After a good test in the morning (4th) although significant given the conditions, Carlos Sainz skips the entire second session after just 7 laps: gearbox failure. Charles Leclercfinished 3rd on the podium at Spa, runs with half a new engine (no penalty) but fails to go beyond the 9th fastest time of the day. For qualifying on Saturday (at 3pm) wind is still expected and perhaps rain on the North Sea. New horizons are emerging.