F1 Dutch GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & FP2
All of the action from Friday practice at Zandvoort
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We're no expert, but it seems the delay may be because the car is still live and producing electrical charge. We'd need someone a bit more technical to explain that one.
While we're on the A1GP theme, Jeroen Bleekemolen scored the best result for his home nation at Zandvoort across its three seasons hosting the season opener. The versatile Dutchman, who replaced 2005-06 driver Jos Verstappen for the second season of the championship, recorded a third place in 2007 and took pole in 2008 before finishing fourth.
Regarding the delay in moving Vettel's car, we've had word from Aston that "the green indicator light is on so we believe that the car is ERS State Alpha". That explains the caution being taken by the officials.
No word on the timing screens yet when the session will restart, but engines have been fired in the Mercedes garage.
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One of the expected upsides of the change in profile to the final corner is that it will enable overtaking into Turn 1. But it should also improve safety as well - anyone who has seen Peter Dumbreck's 2004 DTM shunt should be convinced of that. In case you haven't, the 1998 Macau GP winner shared it on his Twitter account yesterday.
We continue to play the waiting game due to Vettel's stranded Aston. The clock has now ticked past 15 minutes - so even if we do get some running in, there won't be much.
The delay could have significant ramifications for a few drivers, but none more so than AlphaTauri rookie Tsunoda. He is at less of a disadvantage here than at most of the circuits on the F1 calendar, with everybody new to Zandvoort in F1 cars, but the Japanese driver hasn't completed a full flyer yet.
Sainz and Raikkonen are the two drivers to have completed the most laps -13 - while Tsunoda (3), Vettel (6) and Mazepin (8) languish down the bottom end of that particular chart.
Those that have yet to get any running on the medium (Verstappen, Bottas, Hamilton among them) and those who have yet to get any running on the hard (Norris, Gasly, Ricciardo) will have plenty to get through in FP2 this afternoon to combine data-logging of wear rates and dialling in set-up with quali sim prep.
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With seven minutes to go, we're seeing 'track clear' messages on our timing screens.
Session will resume at 12:24 local time.
Green flag
At last, we're green again.
There's a bit of a traffic jam as everybody goes cautiously back out onto the track past the fluid laid down by Vettel's car. Lots of drivers on softs it seems.
Everybody bar Vettel and Tsunoda is out on track now with soft rubber. Now let's really see what the cars can do.
Gasly is the first man over the line on his softs and moves up to third, but had a lot of traffic in the middle sector.
Leclerc then goes fastest, but is immediately eclipsed by Ferrari team-mate Sainz who is the first man into the 1m11s on a .950s.
Bottas then goes quicker again on a 1m11.738s, as Alonso moves ahead of Leclerc into third.
Verstappen can't match Bottas, a 1m11.839s for the Red Bull man, but Hamilton goes top on a 1m11.500s.
Norris, the fastest man before the stoppage, has been shuffled back to P8 behind Stroll, Leclerc, Alonso, Sainz, Verstappen, Bottas and Hamilton.
As for the second Red Bull, Perez is only P15 on a 1m.13.2s. That will be interesting to explain.
Verstappen improves on his next lap, but just falls short of Hamilton with a 1m15.597s. Meanwhile Gasly and Bottas go side-by-side to the line, Gasly improving to P10 with the help of a slipstream.
Checkered flag
Sainz and Leclerc also benefit from having another lap, as they move up to third and fourth. The checkered flag is now out after that action-packed end to FP1.
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Meanwhile Norris and Ocon have a near-miss exiting the Turn 12 hairpin as Ocon moves across and forces the approaching McLaren to take to the grass. "What is this guy doing?" he laments over the radio.
Replays show Ocon was just setting up for a fast lap and moved to the left to take his apex into Turn 13 as Norris was approaching, then refused to yield as Norris tried to come back on. Expect that one to be looked at by the stewards later.
Three different cars then inside the top 3 at the end of FP1, with Hamilton heading Verstappen and Sainz. Little running time for the teams to get up to speed on the tricky Zandvoort track due to the lengthy red flag caused by Vettel's on-track stoppage with an engine issue.
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So how do we feel about Zandvoort after that session everybody? Appetites sufficiently whetted?
We understand that Danny Sullivan is the driver steward on the panel this weekend. It's often forgotten that the 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner best known for the most deftly-executed 360 you'll ever see in a race was a Formula 1 driver for all of one season in 1983, racing for Tyrrell. He retired from that year's Dutch GP with engine failure.
Breaking news
If you missed any of that FP1 session, then fear not - here's a full recap from Alex Kalinauckas: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-dutch-gp-hamilton-leads-verstappen-in-fp1-after-red-flag-for-vettel-engine-failure/6659319/
The next session is at 3pm local time, where teams and drivers will be eager to make up for the time lost to Vettel's engine failure clear-up. We'll see you later!
Goedemiddag! Who is ready for some more F1 action at Zandvoort? Hopefully a little more than we saw in FP1...
The Dutch GP venue is rocking ahead of FP2 - not something you can say at many F1 venues - and with an hour of track action coming up the fans have plenty to look forward to.
Time for a bit of housekeeping before the start of the session. The near-miss between Ocon and Norris towards the end of FP1 was investigated by the stewards and the Alpine driver was given a warning - effectively a slap on the wrist and told 'don't do it again'.
Breaking news
Aston Martin is hopeful Sebastian Vettel will be back in action for FP2 after his morning engine dramas which caused a lengthy red flag. Here's the latest: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/vettel-set-to-return-in-zandvoort-fp2-after-engine-failure/6659445/
Sun
Unlike that pesky rain F1 endured at Spa last weekend, the chance of rain for FP2 is rated at 0%. Just sunshine and good time vibes.
Focus will also be on Tsunoda's garage at the start of this session after the AlphaTauri completed just three laps in FP1 due to various issues. Given the red flags the F1 rookie didn't miss out on that much track time but he's still playing catch-up along with Vettel.
Breaking news
Ah, the start of FP2 will be delayed. It isn't too clear why yet.
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