Portugal Colonial - Piastri rules, double trouble for Ferrari at Dutch Grand Prix

AFP sport looks back at the key moments of a chaotic Sunday by the North Sea coast.

- Papaya Rules ... supreme -

McLaren came to Zandvoort after the summer break in a strong position, the constructors' championship all but sealed.

But even they would have been cheered by the level of dominance they enjoyed -- setting the pace in all three practice sessions, then locking out the top two grid places in qualifying.

A typically brilliant move at the start saw Max Verstappen overtake Norris but the concern for the papaya team was short-lived as their car's superior pace overhauled the Red Bull within a few laps.

Team principal Andrea Stella would not be drawn immediately on what caused Norris's late retirement but acknowledged the team had seen "the two sides of motorsport".

"We have the joy and satisfaction of another victory. And on the opposite side, we have the disappointment and the pain of a retirement," said Stella.

"No doubt, no hesitation. I think we will see the best of Lando as he tries to recover the points we lost."

- MAXimum joy -

Last year, Red Bull's Max Verstappen cut a strangely downbeat figure at his home Grand Prix, as he suffered his first ever Zandvoort defeat.

What a difference 12 months makes. With the pressure of chasing the title off his shoulders, Verstappen was a changed man, frequently joking around with other drivers.

On the track where it counts, Verstappen was typically ruthless. After mediocre practice sessions, he produced a stunning lap to qualify third.

He admitted from the start his Red Bull would be unable to compete with the McLarens but seized upon the misfortune of Norris to claim a surprising second place.

"To be in second I think it's a really good achievement for us," said Verstappen.

He then sent the tens of thousands of "Orange Army" fans into rapture by switching to Dutch.

"The whole weekend has been incredible again, so much orange and support and it always remains very special to drive here," said a beaming Verstappen.

- Ferrari failure -

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton arrived in Zandvoort with the Formula One world concerned about his wellbeing.

He had bashed himself as "completely useless" at the previous Grand Prix and even suggested Ferrari should find another driver.

But he appeared jollier at pre-race appearances, saying hs wanted to rediscover the "fun" that got him into the sport in the first place.

However, Hamilton suffered another challenging weekend, twice spinning his car in practice, then slipping off the track in light rain to end his race on Sunday.

"I'm so sorry guys," said a downcast Hamilton.

Ferrari's woes were compounded when Hamilton's teammate Charles Leclerc was run off the track, obliterating his car into the barriers.

The most famous team in Formula One will be hoping for a change of fortune in front of their legions of fans at Monza next week.

- Hadjar breakout -

Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar did not seem in especially bullish mood ahead of the race, telling reporters he was not particularly enamoured of the Zandvoort track.

But Sunday turned out to be a statement performance from the 20-year-old Frenchman, who is fast cementing his reputation as this season's strongest rookie.

Taking full advantage of the Norris retirement ahead of him to claim his first podium, Hadjar leapt into his team's embrace as he exited his car.

"It feels a bit unreal," said a bashful Hadjar.

"This was always the target since I was a kid. So this is the first step, my first podium and hopefully much more."

- Zany Zandvoort -

All the talk pre-race focused on one topic: the famously changeable weather at the Zandvoort circuit, which is less than a lap's distance away from the North Sea.

Rain would favour home hero Verstappen, generally considered a brilliant wet weather driver, was the paddock wisdom.

In the end, only a few drops fell, but this did not prevent an action-packed race that delighted the orange army fans for the penultimate race at Zandvoort.

H.Portela--PC