2026 Dutch Grand Prix: Max Broke My Heart at Home, Then Russell Saved the Ending

After nearly a month without Formula 1, the summer break was finally over. I had survived enough empty weekends and was ready for racing again. And what better place to return than Zandvoort, surrounded by thousands of orange fans waiting for Max?

Unfortunately, this was also the final Dutch Grand Prix before Zandvoort disappeared from the calendar. That already made the weekend emotional, but I hoped Max would give his home crowd one last special memory.

Before the racing began, Red Bull announced that Max had extended his contract until the end of 2030. Finally, all those rumours about him leaving could calm down. Max said he didn’t feel the need to drive in another colour, and honestly, neither do I. Red Bull might test my patience every weekend, but Max wearing another team’s colours would still feel wrong.

Red Bull also returned from the summer break with an unexpected driver shuffle. Isack Hadjar had injured his wrist, so Liam Lawson was called back into the main Red Bull team. That also brought Yuki Tsunoda back from reserve duty to replace Liam at Racing Bulls.

Liam back in Red Bull and Yuki back on the grid? I wasn’t expecting that after the summer break, but I was happy to see both of them getting another opportunity. Red Bull’s driver programme really is a game of musical chairs where nobody knows which car they will be driving next.

George Russell started the weekend strongly by winning the Sprint. Leclerc passed Norris late to finish second, while Max could only manage sixth. Qualifying didn’t make me feel much better. Norris took pole, Russell and Kimi started second and third, while Max qualified seventh with Liam directly behind him in eighth.

My favourite driver starting seventh at his final home race was not exactly the plan, but rain was expected on Sunday. At Zandvoort, rain can turn a normal race into complete madness, so I still had hope.

The rain arrived before the start and left parts of the circuit wet, but most drivers chose slick tyres. Max and Liam immediately started fighting each other on the opening lap. I was watching Max search for a way forward when he lost control coming out of the final banked corner.

The Red Bull hit the barrier heavily, one of its wheels went flying and the race was stopped.

AAAHHHHHH! No Max, not here!

Thankfully, he immediately confirmed on the radio that he was okay. But watching him climb out of the car while the grandstands suddenly went quiet was painful. Thousands of fans had turned Zandvoort orange for Max’s final home race, and his Sunday ended after only one lap.

After waiting nearly a month for F1 to return, my race was emotionally ruined within a few minutes. Thank you very much, Max.

The red flag gave everyone another standing start. This time, Kimi made a fantastic getaway and passed Norris for the lead. He quickly created a small gap, and for a while it looked like he might start the second half of the season with another victory.

Norris stayed close, but he didn’t sound confident when McLaren asked about his speed. He told the team, “I’m pace zero – I’ve got nothing else.” Apparently, Lando’s pace zero was still faster than almost everyone else. LOL

The Ferraris were also moving forward. Leclerc passed Piastri around the outside, and Hamilton soon followed him through. Lewis then caught Charles and became frustrated because Ferrari would not move his teammate out of the way quickly enough. Well well well, I see issues.

When Leclerc finally entered the pits one lap after being told, Hamilton sarcastically said, “Great waste of time there, guys.” He later asked whether Ferrari were using him as a “guinea pig.” Ahhh Lewis, Formula 1 is properly back. Ferrari strategy confusion and an unhappy Hamilton radio message – now the summer break is officially over.

At the front, Norris kept reducing the gap to Kimi. When he finally reached him, Lando went around the outside at Turn 1 and completed a brilliant overtake for the position. He then passed Hamilton, who still needed to complete another stop, and returned to the lead.

Kimi had controlled most of the race, but Norris waited for the right moment and took the victory away from him.

Then Ocon stopped on the track and brought out a late Virtual Safety Car. Mercedes decided to pit Kimi for fresh soft tyres, while Russell stayed out. Kimi returned behind George, but with fresher tyres Mercedes asked Russell to give second place back to his teammate. Wait what? I personally don't think it was required… i don't support the strategy. but

George followed the instruction, but he immediately warned the team that they might have lost a double podium. Sob: Sob:

This is where I genuinely started feeling bad for him. Russell was now left in third on older tyres, with Hamilton and Leclerc together right behind him. Two Ferraris were filling his mirrors, and George had to defend against both of them while also trying to protect the Mercedes double podium.

Hamilton kept attacking. Leclerc stayed directly behind Lewis, waiting for his opportunity. Russell had nowhere to relax, and every corner looked like it could be the one where he finally lost the position.

Watching him trying so hard genuinely melted my heart. He had already given second place to Kimi, and now the team was relying on him to fight two Ferraris alone.

But George held on. What a race, what a driver.

He crossed the line less than one second ahead of Hamilton, with Leclerc only half a second behind Lewis. Hats off to Russell for holding that third position.

I rate the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix a solid A2W 9/10.

Max broke my heart after one lap, Liam and Yuki returned, Nico rescued Audi and Norris won the final race at Zandvoort. But watching Russell fight two Ferraris and refuse to lose that podium saved the ending for me.

aKi Malik