On a dry track, but which should not remain so during the weekend, the double reigning world champion beat the Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and the Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) respectively by 278 and 373 thousandths of seconds. Mexican Sergio Pérez, second in the provisional championship standings but already relegated 125 points behind Verstappen, took fourth place at the wheel of the second Red Bull. The Williams surprised by finishing fifth and seventh thanks to the Thai Alex Albon and the American rookie Logan Sargeant, while McLaren seem to be on their good start of the summer since the Briton Lando Norris and the Australian novice Oscar Piastri are in sixth and eighth ranks. The Top 10 is completed by the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) and the French Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who was faster than his teammate and compatriot Pierre Gasly (12th).
Briton George Russell (Mercedes) set the 11th time, while Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) only finished 16th. The tests were interrupted by a red flag for a few minutes a quarter of an hour from the end of the session after the German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) left the track, who however hardly damaged his single-seater. For once, Verstappen, who has won the last eight Grands Prix, also made a mistake and cut a corner through the gravel on his last lap. A second free practice session is scheduled for Friday at 4:00 p.m. on the atypical Zandvoort circuit, located in the dunes by the North Sea.
1st free practice session:
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1’11’’’852 (31 tours)
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1’12”130 (22)
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1’12’’225 (24)
Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1’12”323 (27)
