Zandvoort does not forgive mistakes and Carlos Sainz had a cross this Saturday with an accident in the third free practice that when he got out of the car, the Madrilenian still couldn’t explain himself. Blocked in braking the banked Turn three and hit the guards sideways, with widespread damage. Spoiler, front suspension, diffuser … your mechanics have to work in a hurry now to get the car ready before qualifying (3pm, Dazn F1). In addition, he missed the rest of the third practice, essential to gain confidence between some guardrails that punish any slip, as he has verified in the first person.
Verstappen was the fastest in the dress rehearsal with half a second of margin over the Mercedes that seems excessive in such a short lap and that put on their feet the 70,000 Dutch fans present this Saturday in Zandvoort. Each partial record was celebrated as if it were a goal in the World Cup final. Otherwise, Bottas finished ahead of Hamilton and Czech he got strong in a fourth place that shows the forcefulness of Red Bull.
As for Alonso, fifth exciting with the Alpine two hours before the most decisive qualifying of the season begins, along with that of Monaco. There are no overtaking points in Zandvoort, it will hardly be possible for those who come very close, and very fast, to the finish line and the first corner of the circuit. So the grid position will be essential. Although with accidents, red flags and safety cars, the strategy can bring anything, and there is no precedent. F1 hasn’t raced here since 1985.