Max Verstappen has been out of the Dutch Grand Prix after suffering a heavy crash at the end of the first lap on the Zandvoort circuit. The local driver lost control of his Red Bull in the last corner, hit the barriers, and caused the race to be interrupted with a red flag.
Max Verstappen crashes out at Zandvoort 🎥
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 23, 2026
Here's what happened 👇#F1 #DutchGP pic.twitter.com/cu1R80ISZv
Verstappen emerges unscathed from the accident
The Dutchman, who had started from the seventh position, lost control of his car in a section of the track still wet from the rain before the race. The Red Bull hit the barriers and was seriously damaged, while debris was scattered across the track.
Verstappen was able to exit the vehicle on his own and confirmed via radio that he was fine. The incident prematurely ended his last home race in Zandvoort.
The race, interrupted by a red flag
The accident forced a temporary halt to the Grand Prix and brought out the red flag to remove the car and clean the track. The race was subsequently resumed after the necessary safety work was completed.
Zandvoort is celebrating this Sunday its last Formula 1 Grand Prix, as the Dutch circuit will not continue on the calendar starting in 2027. Verstappen thus bids farewell to his home race with a retirement in the first lap.