Verstappen closer to F1 title ahead of Italian Grand Prix

Verstappen won the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, despite a strong Mercedes performance and late Safety Car drama at Zandvoort, with George Russell and Charles Leclerc rounding out the podium.

Red Bull's Dutch driver triumphed at Zandvoort, which was expected at the very least by the 105,000 orange-clad supporters who yelled their delight at every lap.

Why is Max Verstappen already thinking about another victory in Italy?

Despite being a seven time world champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton stayed out on mediums to take the lead, while Verstappen, Russell, and Leclerc came in for softs for the restart on Lap 61 in Zandvoort but eventually, Verstappen took the lead on the restart, with Russell and Leclerc following suit to dethrone Hamilton from the podium.

Max appeared to be certain of victory after making a second pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 48, with Hamilton second and Russell third after both had prolonged their first stint on medium tyres (their opponents had begun on softs) to pit for hard, on which they were quick.

However, the events after a Lap 55 Safety Car crushed Hamilton's prospects of victory.

The outcome of the final race went far beyond the usual expectations as the Australian no deposit bonus codes put Max Verstappen odds favorite over Charles Leclerc, George Russell Sergio Perez coming into the Italian GP.

In addition, Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner is also keen on wrapping up their success with another victory with Verstappen and Perez to retain their throne, which they managed to capture last year with a dramatic last-day event.

As a result, the upcoming Grand Prix will surely provide a splendid atmosphere for both the drivers and the constructors because they know that Monza could deliver the title-deciding results in the end.

Last year, fans witnessed an almost fatal car crash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, resulting in intense F1 title rivalries, though the latter went on to win that season.

However, this year many equations are yet to be decided on the final race day because no prior judgment would justify the potential winner for a lot of unusual factors like the chemistry between Red Bull drivers and the ongoing heated moments in the McLaren team regarding Daniel Ricciardo.

Moreover, Sainz was held down by a disastrous Ferrari pit stop early on, followed by a five-second penalty for an unsafe release in a subsequent stop - fought late on for P5.

This allowed Alonso and Norris to come up on Sainz, and when the penalty was kicked in, Perez was promoted to fifth, Alonso to sixth, and Norris to seventh.

At the Dutch Grand Prix in 2022, Max Verstappen surpassed Mercedes and Ferrari in pursuit of the championship. A magnificent sea of orange created an electrifying atmosphere for the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, as home supporters welcomed their idol and reigning Formula One world champion Max Verstappen.

All weekend, music blasted across the beach to accompany the Red Bull driver's return from a gearbox trouble in FP1 to take pole position, which he snatched by barely two-hundredths of a second over Charles Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton would start on the second row, followed by Sergio Perez, who switched back to an engine from the current pool following his qualifying spin, and George Russell.

With a brand-new pair of softs held for the race, Verstappen was the sole driver to qualify in the top nine (Lance Stroll completing out the top ten).

The Mercedes duo, Lando Norris, Schumacher, Albon, and Magnussen would all start the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix on new medium compounds, while the rest of the field would wear a mix of worn and new softs and with a loud roar, it was lights out for this 72-lap dunes fight.

Verstappen had a strong start and cut off Leclerc's equally strong launch, while Hamilton and Sainz made very slight contact - the seven-time champion attempting a risky pass on the Ferrari into Turn 1 - Norris passed Russell around the outside of the first corner, and Stroll gained two positions on the first lap.

Magnussen collided with Albon in Turn 2, causing him to drift off the racing line and smash the wall with the left side of the vehicle. Almost astonishingly, he kept going in last position and reported that the automobile was fine - even though there was no Safety Car.

Carlos Sainz Jr finished fifth but was demoted to eighth, moving Perez to five, Alonso to sixth, and Norris to seventh and the Ferrari driver's duel with Perez helped Hamilton to maintain fourth place, albeit some may consider this race a setback for Mercedes and their seven-time champion.