P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Who’s really in best shape out of McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull after practice day for Max Verstappen’s home race? Mark Hughes gives his take on the times and drivers’ feelings
On Dutch Grand Prix Friday, despite challenging wind conditions, we witnessed a competitive showing from the Formula 1 field at Zandvoort. McLaren and Mercedes seemed to have the edge, with George Russell and Oscar Piastri leading the pack, ahead of Max Verstappen. Verstappen did show strong performance in race stint simulations, but there were concerns about the optimal conditions for his laps. Meanwhile, Ferrari faced difficulties, with Carlos Sainz encountering gearbox issues, and Charles Leclerc lagging behind the competition. Mercedes and McLaren showcased improvements in their setups, with each team excelling in different aspects of performance. Verstappen, while acknowledging areas for improvement, remained determined to address the team’s performance gaps in the upcoming races.
