F1 Dutch GP Live Commentary and Updates - Race
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix
Max Verstappen will start from pole position as he bids to equal Sebastian Vettel's record of nine consecutive grand prix victories.
The Dutchman will enjoy the vocal support of the Zandvoort crowd but faces stiff opposition from Lando Norris, who starts second.
George Russell qualified third and will be joined on the second row by Williams driver Alex Albon, while Liam Lawson will make his F1 debut, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri.
Kevin Magnussen will start from the pitlane after parc ferme changes, having fitted a new power unit and gearbox.
The action at Zandvoort will begin at 2pm BST.
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It appears that shower has largely passed and the weather radar is looking good. Once the standing water is cleared, this race should be able to restart.
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You can't park there, sir!
A marshal checks on Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo C43, following an accident
Photo by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images
Perez has a new front wing ready to be fitted to his Red Bull with work continuing on the rear of his car. A very lucky escape, it would appear.
Hamilton too - restarting in sixth - will be relishing the prospect of racing in these conditions with his prowess well documented.
So who will and won't want the race to restart? Obviously, the top three of Verstappen, Alonso and Perez will be happy to see the chequered flag displayed.
But Gasly and Sainz will feel there is an opportunity to gain some unexpected silverware.
But Gasly and Sainz will feel there is an opportunity to gain some unexpected silverware.
'Walking on Sunshine'? The Zandvoort DJ certainly has a good sense of humour!
Speaking in the paddock, Leclerc has explained his early botched stop, claiming he gained more than he lost by pitting before Ferrari was ready with the tyres.
'Hey Baby!' is the music of choice currently blaring out. Join in if you know the words!
No word yet on when this race will restart. If it doesn't restart, full points will still be awarded due more than 75% of this race being completed. In theory, F1 has got around 1h12m to get these final laps in before the race is timed out and everyone has to go home.
If you thought it was the British that could party in the rain, just listen to the Zandvoort grandstands! Trance music blasts out and its a full-on party while we wait for some more on-track action.
Replays of Perez stopping before the red flag was shown indicate that he made contact with the wall on pit entry. Red Bull is working on his car. But the team is also looking at the rear after he spun and struck the barriers at Turn 1.
Full order for the restart, as and when it happens: 1. Verstappen, 2. Alonso, 3. Perez, 4. Gasly, 5. Sainz, 6. Hamilton, 7. Norris, 8. Russell, 9. Albon, 10. Piastri, 11. Ocon, 12. Tsunoda, 13. Stroll, 14. Hulkenberg, 15. Bottas, 16. Lawson, 17. Magnussen. The race will restart for lap 66 of 72.
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Albon has commented that the conditions are 'too much of a lottery' and that the race should not be restarted until there is significant improvement in the weather.
The barriers are currently being repaired at Turn 1 but really, that is not the reason for the delay to the restart. It is simply the rain that is too much.
Race control state that Perez will move up to third for the restart, when it comes, so he has a reprieve from that off. That will be the order from the end of the previous sector before the red flag - he lost places to Gasly, Sainz and Hamilton when he pitted second before the red flag.
The cameras rather entertainingly have picked up on Sargeant. After his early-race crash, he has been sat on a deckchair up at Turn 8. With the rain lashing down, he may do well to remain under the gazebo up at that corner!
Right now the order at the red flag is: 1. Verstappen, 2. Alonso, 3. Gasly, 4. Sainz, 5. Hamilton, 6. Perez, 7. Norris, 8. Russell, 9. Albon, 10. Piastri, 11. Ocon, 12. Tsunoda, 13. Stroll, 14. Hulkenberg, 15. Bottas, 16. Lawson, 17. Magnussen. Out: Zhou, Leclerc and Sargeant.
The worst of the rain appears to have passed but - after a five-minute break - more is expected. However, this should be a lesser intensity than we have just seen.
Hamilton also went off at Turn 1 after the red flags were being flown. Given the conditions, it will be interesting to see if race control wants to take a look at that one.
This is reminiscent of the deluge at the 2007 European GP - an instant downpour that was sending cars in every direction off the track.
Replays show Tsunoda has gone off at Turn 1 moments before Zhou locked both front tyres and aquaplaned into the barriers. That was a high-speed impact.
Perez is stuck in the pitlane under the red flag. The timing screen says he is sixth, but where will he end up when this shakes out?
Bottas was also in the escape road, so there is some significant unpacking to be done here.
Red flag
Zhou is in the barriers at Turn One as the red flag is shown.
Red flag! The race has been stopped by this rain!
Pit stop
Verstappen pits from the lead again to swap inters for full wets as the virtual safety car is deployed.
Norris has seriously benefited from the change in conditions. He is up to P7 and is ahead of both Albon and Piastri.
Verstappen leads by 19.6s from Perez - but Perez has crashed at Turn 1! He gets going again but he drops behind Alonso!
Ocon moves onto the full wet tyre. He is the only driver on that compound!
Perez is back into second after his slow pitstop. 10 laps to go and this is all up for grabs!
DRR has been disabled. In other news, water, it turns out, is indeed wet!
So far, it is intermediate tyres all around.
Pit stop
It is bucketing down! Verstappen pits next lap around and should stay in the lead on inters.
Will anyone take a chance on the full wet tyre? It could be essential in the next lap or two!
Rain
Mayhem in the pits as the rain arrives!
Pit stop
Perez pits for inters! But Red Bull weren't ready and the tyres weren't there. It is a 10.9s stop for the Mexican.
Gasly learns from his earlier attack on Sainz and gets the move around the outside at Turn 1 done to take fourth place.
Russell touches the grass at Turn 7 and almost loses his Mercedes while Hamilton charges up behind him. Mercedes make the call and Hamilton is allowed past.
Another move for Hamilton who passes Ocon for P8. Norris has again dropped off the pace and is falling into the clutches of team-mate Piastri.
Gasly, with DRS, gives Sainz a major worry closing down the straight and he tries to go around the outside at Turn 1, but the Ferrari driver shows him the outside kerb. No go.
By: Autosport Staff
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