Dutch GP: George Russell leads Mercedes cost in Follow One as residence hero Max Verstappen breaks down

George Russell units the tempo in Follow One, two-tenths forward of Lewis Hamilton; Ferrari and McLaren behind Mercedes whereas Max Verstappen accomplished solely seven laps earlier than gearbox problem; Watch Follow Two on Sky Sports activities F1 at 3pm, with build-up from 2.45pm

George Russell led a shock Mercedes one-two in an intriguing first apply for the Dutch GP, as residence favorite Max Verstappen’s F1 momentum took a sudden flip after breaking down on monitor in his Purple Bull.

Verstappen accomplished solely seven laps earlier than he suffered a gearbox problem, with a boisterous sell-out Zandvoort crowd left in surprised silence because the Dutchman’s automotive floor to a halt.

Verstappen was not capable of return within the session, leaving him unexpectedly on the again foot after dominating final weekend’s Belgian GP, the place a 14th-to-first victory cost put him 93 factors clear within the title race.

In Verstappen’s absence, Ferrari and McLaren battled for the highest positions earlier than Mercedes fitted the quickest tender tyres and stormed to the entrance.

Russell led with a 1:12.455, two tenths sooner than team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Carlos Sainz was third for Ferrari with Lando Norris fourth, with McLaren considerably sooner than midfield rivals Alpine – their off-track battle persevering with because the off-track dispute over Oscar Piastri rumbles on with no announcement.

Daniel Ricciardo was fifth forward of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, who have been surprisingly off the tempo of their Ferrari and Purple Bull vehicles.

Whereas we have no idea Verstappen’s tempo at Zandvoort but, the early indicators for Mercedes are actually optimistic after a disappointing weekend at Spa.

“That is wanting extra like a Budapest weekend than a Spa weekend,” mentioned Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok, referencing the Hungarian GP the place Mercedes took pole and the Belgian GP the place they have been 1.8s off in qualifying.

Purple Bull boss Christian Horner mentioned Purple Bull did not know the complete implications of Verstappen’s failure but.

“We misplaced drive, shifting from fourth to fifth, so we have to get the automotive again and perceive that,” Horner instructed Sky Sports activities F1. “Hopefully, we’ll have the ability to get it rotated shortly for the following session.”

Each Alpines have been within the top-10, together with Alex Albon who continues to overachieve within the Williams.