Heavy crash for Max Verstappen causes red flag at F1's Dutch Grand Prix

A heavy crash for Max Verstappen brought out the red flag to stop the Dutch Grand Prix as the four-time champion’s home Formula 1 race lasted less than a lap

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain leads at the start of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort , Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

By Associated Press

Updated 1 hour ago

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — A heavy crash for Max Verstappen brought out the red flag to stop the Dutch Grand Prix as the four-time champion's home Formula 1 race lasted less than a lap.

Verstappen was running seventh when he tried to correct a slide into the final corner of the opening lap, and instead speared into the barrier opposite. His car then slid back across the track into the other wall.

“I'm OK,” he said and apologized to the team.

With the wrecked Red Bull car in the middle of the track and debris strewn around, the red flag was soon shown.

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