The capacity crowd at Zandvoort was treated to exactly what it wanted as Max Verstappen triumphed on home soil to take his win tally for 2022 into double digits. For those watching on TV, they were treated to what they wanted too as, after the race initially appeared to be a damp squib, it evolved beautifully into a tactical grudge match with a satisfying late pass for the spoils.
It was Mercedes that came closest to knocking Verstappen and Red off the top step of the podium, thanks to inspired strategy and blistering speed that was undone by ill-timed virtual and full safety cars. This came as Ferrari faltered – its pace failing to inspire and its pitstops sticking to the poor form of this season – and Sergio Perez was well adrift of his benchmark teammate.
There were also plenty of talking points off track as the Contract Recognition Board revealed its verdict on the Alpine-McLaren dispute over Oscar Piastri and another weekend passed when Porsche didn’t announce its partnership with Red Bull…
Those elements considered, here are 10 things we learned from the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix.
Verstappen is on 10 wins this season – can he break the record of 13?
Photo by: Erik Junius
1. Verstappen can now focus on breaking records
Another sublime triumph for Verstappen stretches his standings lead to 109 points. With seven rounds and a sprint race to play, only five drivers (down to Lewis Hamilton in sixth on 158 points compared to the leader’s 310) can mathematically catch Verstappen. Realistically, however, a second title is already on its way to the Red Bull ace.
It would take a spectacular and unprecedented downfall for Verstappen not to have his name engraved on the championship trophy for the second time in a row. With that in mind, perhaps it’s the record books that are next to be in need of rewriting.
Verstappen’s fourth win in succession takes his tally for the season to 10. The record for the most lucrative campaign is shared by Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel from 2013, when both amassed 13 wins. But given Verstappen’s current blistering speed and that a little over a third of the term remains, it’s entirely plausible that the Ferrari and Red Bull greats will statistically be surpassed.
Ferrari continues to drop ever further behind Red Bull in the pecking order
Photo by: Ferrari
2. It’s tough to see where Ferrari’s next win will come from
If the Scuderia had to roll over for Verstappen at Spa, then so be…
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