27/08/2023
NEWS STORY
The big question today is the weather. Heading into the afternoon there are warnings of severe thunderstorms, which will no doubt result in George Russell sharing his thoughts with everyone and his dog.
However, we've had these warnings before and the weather actually turned out fine. Indeed, though it rained overnight, the rain predicted this morning never appeared.
Fact is it is most likely to be changeable, which might be bad news for Russell but good news for the rest of us.
As it stands, it is anticipated that the race will start under heavy rainfall but this will cease around half-an-hour later with no further downpours. We shall see.
Seeking to equal Sebastian Vettel's record of 9 successive wins the weather is unlikely to give Max Verstappen a headache, while the likes of Alex Albon and Fernando Alonso would welcome a shower or two.
Last night Yuki Tsunoda was handed a 3-place grid drop for impeding Lewis Hamilton, and this morning it was confirmed that Kevin Magnussen will start from the pitlane after taking on a new engine.
One driver who would probably prefer some of the wet stuff is Liam Lawson who was drafted in yesterday morning to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo. The kiwi has had no dry running here so will no doubt prefer it if conditions remain the same as yesterday.
As ever, the question mark over the weather means that it is anyone's guess how things will develop, however, while Russell and Norris will sense podium finishes, there are plenty of drivers out there who could yet spring a surprise... not least Fernando.
The Ferraris are struggling, and it will be interesting to see how Leclerc handles things today, likewise Hamilton.
As we await the opening of the pitlane, there is work going on on Perez' car. That said, the atmosphere in the garage appears calm, not one of panic.
Ahead of the green light Verstappen heads the queue, the local hero clearly playing up to the crowd.
Enjoying a dry track, the Dutchman is soon joined by Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Perez and the rest. Last to head out is Sargeant.
Perez is advised of a strong tailwind in to Turn 10, while Stroll is told of a similar situation at Turn 7.
Last to take their places on the grid are Hamilton, Albon, Sargeant and Russell.
In terms of strategy, there are several options, both in terms of the number of stops where the choice is between two or one, and in terms of choice of compound. This variety is down to several factors. First and foremost, the hard tyre here is the C1, which has been modified for this year and, while degrading very little offers more grip than its predecessor. Then there is the weather with the cool temperatures facilitating the use of the medium and soft compounds.
Finally, there's the fact that there is a wide choice in terms of types of tyre. The number of stops can also vary depending on the characteristics of the cars and the choices made when it comes to aero downforce levels. Those who favour track position will most likely opt for a single stop, using a combination of medium and hard. Those who believe they have what is needed to be competitive when it comes to overtaking, will go for the two stops, favouring the use of the medium and soft.
Added to this, of course, is the unknown factor concerning the weather which all points to it being a very interesting race.
Williams reveals that on his way to the grid Albon suffered a puncture. However, this was on a used set of tyres and not those with which he will start the race. Also, as he was running at a relatively low speed, he didn't incur any damage to the floor of his car.
With just under half an hour before the start there is work ongoing on Leclerc's car.
Ahead of the formation lap, the air temperature is 17 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees. The risk of rain is 70%.
All are starting on softs bar Hamilton and Hulkenberg who have opted for mediums. Fresh rubber all round.
Alonso is told that there is rain around 5 minutes away, though Toto Wolff had claimed around twenty minutes into the race.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
The grid forms.
They're away! Strong starts from Verstappen and Norris, while Albon is almost alongside Russell going into Turn 1. Alonso is right behind Russell, while on the inside Sainz is behind Albon.
However, out of Turn 2 Albon is losing ground, while Alonso nails Russell into Turn 3.
Still struggling, Albon is under pressure from Sainz and Perez, the Spaniard going around the outside of the Williams in Turn 7. Albon immediately retakes the place as Sainz almost falls victim to Perez also.
Even before the end of the opening lap it starts to rain, as Verstappen leads Norris, Alonso, Russell, Albon, Sainz, Piastri and Stroll.
Leclerc, Gasly, Tsunoda, Lawson and Magnussen all pit, switching to Inters, but it's a disaster for the Ferrari driver as his team doesn't have tyres available.
"You need to watch the radar," advises Verstappen.
"Rain is easing off," Norris is told, as Verstappen, Alonso and Sainz pit. Russell passes Norris for the lead, while Albon is up to third ahead of Perez - who is flying on his Inters.
Norris runs wide and moments later Perez passes Russell for the lead.
"We should have come in," says Hamilton, "it's very wet."
Leclerc goes off and into the gravel at Turn 11 as Norris finally pits.
As Hamilton pits, after 3 laps - yes, just 3 laps - Perez leads Zhou, Gasly, Verstappen, Leclerc, Alonso, Sainz, Tsunoda, Magnussen and Russell, the Mercedes driver, one of several, including Albon, still on slicks.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 4, rejoining in 17thm as Stroll also pits.
The stewards are investigating an impeding incident in the pitlane involving Magnussen and Lawson.
Verstappen forces Gasly wide on the entry to Turn 3 as they battle for 3rd, as Lawson is handed a 10s time penalty.
Alonso passes Leclerc for fifth, the Spaniard revelling in the conditions.
Lap 6 sees Verstappen post a new fastest lap (22.503), The Dutchman subsequently passing Zhou for second.
Still on slicks, Sargeant is lapped by Perez just 7 laps into the afternoon.
Also on slicks, albeit down in 15th, Albon goes quickest in S1. Clearly that sector is drying.
"Charles has front wing damage," Sainz is told, the Spaniard just 0.5s down on his teammate.
Out front, Verstappen is just 5.77s down on his teammate.
Sainz passes his teammate for sixth.
"Rain is coming," Russell is told, "it's lighter than before, just two or three minutes out."
Magnussen pits at the end of Lap 9, as Piastri (softs) goes quickest in the first two sectors.
Hamilton and Stroll both pit at the end of Lap 10, both switching to softs as Piastri posts a new fastest lap (19.061).
Check out our Sunday gallery from Zandvoort here.
Zhou, Alonso and Sainz all pit, as do Tsunoda, Ocon, Norris, Lawson and Russell. All change to softs though Zhou opts for mediums.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 11, as do Gasly and Leclerc, the Dutchman clearly going for the undercut on his teammate. Leclerc has a change of front wing.
Piastri posts a new fastest lap (16.870), as Perez finally pits. The Mexican rejoins in second, 6.1s down on his Red Bull teammate.
Alonso is third, ahead of Gasly, Sainz, Zhou, Magnussen, Piastri, Tsunoda and Ocon.
"Did Max undercut us," asks Perez.
Tsunoda makes a bold move on Ocon on the banking to claim 9th.
Gasly is under investigation for speeding in the pitlane.
"I was forecast for a podium, how did we mess up," demands Russell.
Sainz makes a move on Gasly, but the Frenchman is having none of it.
Ocon retakes ninth from Tsunoda, the Frenchman taking advantage of the fact that Albon was just ahead.
Sargeant has crashed at Turn 7, causing the Safety Car to be deployed. "I don't know what happened," he reports, "something fell on the front-right when I hit the kerb."
Bottas, Hulkenberg, Russell and Stroll take the opportunity to pit. The Briton opts for hards while the other three go for mediums.
Gasly is handed a 10s time penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
Currently 8th, Albon is the only driver yet to pit.
"There are cells on the radar, first one in 35 minutes," Perez is told when he asks if further rain is expected.
"It's very difficult to keep up with this and there is more rain coming," Guenther Steiner tells Sky Sports. "With these changing conditions, you never know if you can hold onto points." Magnussen is currently 7th and teammate Hulkenberg 16th.
"It is very difficult to maintain (tyre) temperature with this safety car," warns Sainz.
"So, it's Plan A from this point," asks Perez. "There might be some rain in 15 laps... 25 laps," he is told.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 22.
Ahead of the restart Perez is almost alongside his teammate.
Alonso is all over Perez, as Gasly goes around the outside of Sainz to claim fourth.
In no time at all Verstappen has 1.2s lead, while Sainz is all over Gasly. Further back, Albon has passed Magnussen for seventh.
"What the **** was that," says the Thai driver as the Dane appeared to move under braking.
The Haas driver is subsequently passed by Ocon.
On Lap 25 DRS is enabled.
Piastri makes a brilliant move on Bottas in Turn 1 to take 14th.
As Hamilton lines up Leclerc, Magnussen is shown the black and white flag for moving under braking.
In no time at all, Leclerc is passed by Hamilton and then Piastri as he drops to 14th.
Lap 26 sees a new fastest lap from Verstappen (15.659), as Alonso closes to within 0.8s of Perez.
Norris makes short work of Magnussen to claim the last of the point scoring positions.
Tsunoda is shown the black and white flag for forcing another driver off track.
Verstappen posts a string of fastest lap, as Piastri makes Magnussen's afternoon that little bit worse.
Hamilton remains 11th, while teammate Russell is 17th, and Leclerc 15th. Not the afternoon that any of these expected.
"Darker clouds are coming in," reports Verstappen as he enjoys a 3.8s lead over his teammate.
As he seeks to pass Zhou, Norris has Hamilton in his mirrors. The McLaren driver nails the Alfa Romeo driver as Hamilton also lines up the Chinese.
"We are expecting drops to a light shower in ten minutes," Leclerc is advised.
Hamilton passes Zhou for tenth.
Alonso is advised that Russell is the only driver on hards but is dropping back.
Piastri sweeps by Zhou on the pit straight at the start of Lap 36, half-distance.
At the end of the lap Magnussen pits, the Dane rejoining in 18th. Stroll also pits, The Canadian's fourth stop this afternoon.
Russell passes Leclerc for 14th.
With a comfort cushion of 5.9s, Verstappen entertains himself with a new fastest lap (15.167).
Zhou makes his third stop of the afternoon as Norris is all over the back of a stubborn Tsunoda.
Leclerc's day goes from bad to worse as the youngster is passed by Bottas.
Sainz is advised that his softs won't make it to the end of the race.
Lawson passes Leclerc for 15th in Turn 12. However, the Monegasque subsequently retakes the position courtesy of DRS.
Sainz pits at the end of Lap 41, rejoining in 11th. Teammate Leclerc also stops.
However, it is a terminal issue for Leclerc. "The problem is getting worse," he is told, "we will retire the car."
Norris pits at the end of Lap 42, the McLaren driver rejoining in 14th.
Ocon pits at the end of Lap 43 as Sainz posts a new fastest lap (14.975).
At the end of Lap 44, Albon makes his first stop of the afternoon. He rejoins in 11th on the mediums.
Next time around Perez pits, rejoining in 4th, just ahead of the Tsunoda/Hamilton battle. However, the Briton subsequently pits.
On hards, Russell is up to 8th.
Gasly, who has that 10s penalty, pits from third at the end of Lap 46. Piastri also stops.
Gasly rejoins in 6th and immediately finds himself under attack from Russell.
Sainz passes Tsunoda for fourth, the Japanese having done 37 laps on those softs.
Alonso pits at the end of Lap 48, however there's a problem with the front-left and he rejoins in 5th behind Tsunoda.
As Verstappen pits, Ocon is warned of "rain in ten minutes, probably light".
On fresh rubber, and no doubt fired up by that poor stop, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (14.153).
Check out our Sunday gallery from Zandvoort here.
After 52 laps, it's: Verstappen, Perez (+ 6.9s), Sainz (+ 12.5s), Alonso (+ 0.049s), Gasly (+ 4.067s), Russell (+ 2.7s), Tsunoda (+ 0.541s), Albon (+ 0.706s) Ocon (+ 1.6s) and Norris (+ 1.102s).
Alonso passes Sainz in Turn 1 to retake the podium position, as Tsunoda is clearly struggling.
"We are expecting rain around ten laps from the end, some of which will be pretty heavy," Verstappen is warned.
The stewards are investigating an incident involving Tsunoda and Russell, the pair having touched when the Briton made his move on the AlphaTauri.
Albon passes Russell for 6th, the Williams driver having an entertaining afternoon. Elsewhere, Hamilton has passed Norris for ninth.
9.9s down on Perez, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (13.837).
Verstappen enquires weather the expected rain will require a stop for Inters or full wets. "We don't know yet," he is told.
Gasly is all over Sainz for 4th, the Spaniard having to use every trick in the book to hold him off.
Hamilton picks off Ocon for 8th. Next up is teammate Russell.
Woah! Russell pulls off the save of the century when he touches the grass but somehow avoids disaster.
Gasly passes Sainz for 4th with a brave, brave move.
Suddenly it's raining and Perez pits for Inters, as do Gasly and Sainz. Hamilton stops, as do Russell, Norris, Piastri and Tsunoda.
Told to 'box', Verstappen says no. Next time around he is told that it is a very good time to pit, this time he agrees.
Alonso also pits as do Zhou, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Magnussen.
"This is going to be very, heavy rain,"£ Ocon is told, "massive."
So, after 61 laps, Verstappen leads Perez, Alonso, Gasly, Sainz, Hamilton, Norris, Russell, Albon and Piastri.
All are now on Inters bar Ocon who is on full wets.
As Ocon complains "this is the worst decision", Perez goes straight on at Turn 1 and loses second to Alonso.
Zhou is off and in the barriers at Turn 1 as Verstappen pits again, this time for full wets.
The VSC is deployed as Perez pits.
As the Mexican heads down the pitlane the race is red-flagged. Which means the Red Bull driver is stuck in the pitlane.
The field head back to the pits, Verstappen leads, Alonso is second, ahead of Gasly, Sainz, Hamilton, Perez, Norris, Russell, Albon and Piastri.
Replays show that Tsunoda and Hamilton also had offs - the Japanese driver also being hit was a 5s time penalty for causing a collision (with Russell) - while Perez almost hit the wall at the pitlane entry.
Race Control advises that the order for the restart will be: Verstappen, Alonso, Perez, Gasly, Sainz, Hamilton, Norris, Russell, Albon, Piastri, Ocon, Tsunoda, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Lawson and Magnussen.
And just like that, the sun is shining.
At 17:03, Race Control announces that the race will resume at 17:14 with a Rolling Start procedure. Inters will be mandatory.
Russell is told that it will likely be two laps behind the Safety Car and then 6 racing laps.
Perez leads the lapped cars back on track after which they return to the pits in the correct order before heading out again behind the Safety Car.
A number of drivers are concerned that their tyres are losing temperature.
The Safety Car withdraws... ahead of the restart Alonso is all over Verstappen.
Further back, Norris loses pace and is passed by Russell.
Perez has been noted for speeding in the pitlane. Indeed, the Mexican has a 5s time penalty.
Russell appears to have gone off and has dropped to last. Indeed he pits.
Seemingly the Mercedes driver had a puncture following a clash with Norris. Alonso is warned of possible debris.
The Russell/Norris incident has been noted by the stewards.
Under pressure from Hamilton, Sainz isn't in the mood for radio messages.
The seven-time champ is all over the Ferrari, while Albon is trying to hold off Piastri.
Alonso has slipped to 3s behind Verstappen, however, with that penalty, Perez is no longer a worry.
Norris has caught up with the Sainz/Hamilton battle.
Hamilton has a look at Turn 1, they appear to touch, before another attack at Turn 3.
Verstappen takes the flag, his third successive win here and ninth successive win, equalling the record of Sebastian Vettel.
Perez is third, but drops to fourth with that penalty, meaning that Gasly heads to the podium.
Sainz is fifth, ahead of Hamilton, Norris, Albon, Piastri and Ocon.
Stroll is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Lawson, Magnussen, Bottas, Tsunoda and Russell.
The stewards feel that no further investigation of the Russell/Norris incident is necessary.
"What a race!" declares Gasly. "It hasn't been the easiest year, so to come back after the summer break, I'm super pleased for all the guys to get that P3.
"It was a very long race," he adds, "very challenging, but greatly executed for all the guys."
"It was a very intense race," says Alonso, "with the wet conditions we were very, very fast. The car was flying today, very competitive, easy to drive.
"In these conditions you need a car you can trust, and I did trust it today. This is a very special race track. Happy for Max, congratulations to everyone.
"I did think about trying a move in the last restart," he smiles, "but then I thought that maybe I cannot exit the circuit so I come in second."
"Today, they didn't make it easy for us with the weather, to make all the right calls," says Verstappen. "I already had goose bumps when they were playing the anthem at the start.
Asked about the prospect of that record tenth successive win, he replies: "I'll think about that next week, I just want to enjoy this one. The atmosphere is very special."
Indeed, though most of the music wasn't exactly our taste - what with us being children of the 70s - it was pretty special, in terms of the atmosphere, the dedication of the fans, some pretty special performances and, of course, the Weather Gods.
Now on to Monza, which, as regular readers will be aware, has a special place in our hearts, and this year will be particularly poignant.
We wonder if Fernando might do something special there.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Zandvoort here.