Dutch F1 GP, 5 September 2021

                        1. M. Verstappen       2. L. Hamilton       3. V. Bottas

Verstappen's Dutch GP victory exposed potential weaknesses at Mercedes Zandvoort          [5 September 2021] The air was thick with orange smoke and a techno beat as Max Verstappen completed his victory lap at Zandvoort. Given the hype surrounding Verstappen in the build-up to the grand prix -- the first to be held in the Netherlands since 1985 -- it seemed unimaginable that anyone other than the Dutchman would win on Sunday. But, by its own admission, Mercedes made it much easier for Verstappen than it needed to be. Although Red Bull undoubtedly held a pace advantage at Zandvoort, Mercedes had the strategic upper hand by virtue of having two cars in the fight at the front compared to Verstappen's lone Red Bull. Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, was knocked out in the first stage of qualifying on Saturday, leading to a pit lane start when the team changed components on his car, while Mercedes lined up with Lewis Hamilton in second on the grid and Valtteri Bottas in third.