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And now to Lewis Hamilton’s latest mirage. No sooner had the poor chap talked of having ‘fun’ at Ferrari than the shimmering pool he espied turned out to be as dry as sand.
Next to the beach at wind-tossed Zandvoort, the seven-time world champion spun twice in practice. He pirouetted 360 degrees in both the morning and afternoon sessions, his red car way off the standard set by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The younger Briton goes into qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix as favourite for pole and a second successive win at this track and a fourth in the five rounds. His only likely competition is his team-mate Oscar Piatsri, the Australian who holds a nine-point lead in the drivers’ standings in their private duel for the title.
As for Hamilton, he vowed on Thursday to enjoy driving again after dismissing himself as ‘absolutely useless’ in Hungary three weeks ago prior to his much-needed summer break.
Yet he finished first practice more than a second-and-a-half behind Norris, aka light years. His first spin came 10 minutes into his supposed rebirth, at Turn Two. The only compensation was that he managed to keep the car out of the gravel. He was 15th fastest, with team-mate Charles Leclerc only a place higher.
‘We should focus about what we are doing now,’ snapped a dejected Leclerc over the radio. ‘We are miles off, like miles off.’
Lewis Hamilton's struggles continued as he spun twice in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix
The seven-time world champion returned to the track after dismissing himself as ‘absolutely useless’ in Hungary three weeks ago
With clouds threatening rain in the afternoon running, Hamilton committed a similar spin to his first, this time at Turn 9, after catching the grass and losing control.
He again held on to the car and finished sixth quickest, 0.848sec off the pace. He was two places ahead of Leclerc, which was a straw to hold on to.
Unexpectedly, it was Aston Martin who were strongest behind the McLarens that are likely to dominate qualifying today. Fernando Alonso set the second-best time of the day, even ahead of Piastri, though Lance Stroll’s promise was cut short when he pranged into the wall on the banked Turn Three.The Canadian was not hurt but his participation was over, his car in need of repairs. Alex Albon walked out of his Williams after finding himself in the gravel, bringing a further delay to proceedings.
The weather here so far has been a capricious mix of sun and showers, and conditions may have a bearing on the outcome in front of Max Verstappen’s Orange Army, many of whom travel in on the ‘Max Express’ from Amsterdam Centraal, 30 minutes away from the resort.
The defending world champion offered his fans little indication of success in his deficient Red Bull. He was only sixth fastest in the morning. That session ended bizarrely with him beached in the gravel following a practice start after the chequered flag.
The Dutchman moved up to fifth in the afternoon’s action, which took place to the accompaniment of techno music that is an inescapable feature of the weekend’s fare.
