Dutch GP 2022 - FP1: A blast from the past – 1-2 for Mercedes, issues for Verstappen

George Russell topped the first practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, followed by teammate, Lewis Hamilton, in P2 and Carlos Sainz in P3.

The session started with a red flag, 12 minutes after the clock started counting backwards, as Max Verstappen stopped on track at T12, reporting some gearbox issues. FP1 was resumed after 8 minutes, as the marshals cleaned the scene up and removed Verstappen's car from the track. There must be some strange connection between T12 and red flags, as last year's Grand Prix weekend had 6 of them, during practice and qualifying sessions, with cars flying over the kerbs at that point of the track.

It was a rather bizarre session for this morning's in-track action, but not only because the 2021 Champion suffered problems with his car's gearbox: George Russell managed to get on top of the standings in Zandvoort, causing many heads to turn his way. Lewis Hamilton placed his Mercedes right behind his teammate, in P2, followed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in P3.

P4 for n. 4, Lando Norris, who was just ahead of his McLaren teammate, Daniel Ricciardo in P5. Charles Leclerc didn't get the start he wanted, as he could only go as high as P6 in his F1-75.

Completing the top 10, Sergio Perez in P7, followed by the two Alpines, with Fernando Alonso in P8, ahead of Esteban Ocon in P9, and Alex Albon in P10.

Full FP1 Classification: