F1 News: Max Verstappen OUT of Dutch Grand Prix as huge crash brings out red flag

A compsite image of a disappointed Max Verstappen with a Dutch themed background — Photo: © IMAGO

Dutch Grand Prix

Max Verstappen OUT of Dutch Grand Prix as huge crash brings out red flag

A heartbreaking early end to his last home race

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson F1 Editor

Motorsport journalist covering F1 since 2024

Sunday 23 August 2026 15:22 Updated: 16:20

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The Dutch Grand Prix has been red flagged after Red Bull star Max Verstappen was involved in a huge crash in the early stages at Zandvoort.

Rain ahead of lights out had greased up the track, and Verstappen found a damp patch as he rounded the banked corner at the end of the first lap.

Spinning out of control, Verstappen's car veered into the wall and took a huge hit.

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Thankfully, Verstappen was okay, confirming that was the case over the radio before stepping out of the car under his own power.

"Yeah, that's it. Ah s**t, sorry," Verstappen also said to his team.

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Max Verstappen OUT of Dutch Grand Prix

Such was the damage to Verstappen's car, the red flag came out almost immediately.

"I'm not surprised to see the red flag come out because that was a huge one for Max Verstappen," Sky Sports F1's Anthony Davidson said in the commentary box.

"He was on the inside line and straight into the concrete wall on the outside. An awful impact and I'm pleased to see he's alright and out of the car.

"Nothing he could do."

Gabriel Bortoleto also spun in a separate incident at the same corner just seconds later, but unlike Verstappen, he did not smash into a wall, and was able to regain control of his car.

Een zieke Max Verstappen crasht na 1 ronde in Zandvoort, maar maakt het gelukkig goed. Onderweg naar zijn team en het de media pen pic.twitter.com/wMTVCgQ8Xb
— Jan Bolscher (@bolscher_jan) August 23, 2026