There’ll be no holding back by Hamilton

LEWIS Hamilton will not be instructed to hold back against Max Verstappen on the opening lap of today’s Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen heads into his home race in Zandvoort holding the advantage after he beat Hamilton to pole position by just 0.038 seconds. Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas lines up third in the other Mercedes.

The stage is now set for a pulsating race with Hamilton and Verstappen sharing the front row for the first time since their openinglap coming together at the British Grand Prix in July.

Seven weeks might have passed, but the 180mph Silverstone crash will be at the forefront of those watching the 262-metre stampede to the opening right-hander Tarzanbocht bend and the ensuing 13 corners.

With overtaking predicted to be difficult around the twisty 2.65-mile circuit, both Hamilton and Verstappen will recognise the importance of lap one of a scheduled 72 - and the Briton’s Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has no intention of deterring his superstar driver from challenging his Red Bull rival.

“We will not be discussing the strategy for turn one or two,” said Wolff.

“The drivers will speak with their respective engineers about various plays, but we do not need to refer to Lewis how to drive or what is at stake because he knows best.

“The two protagonists will be side-by-side more often this season and we cannot assume that it will end up in an incident.

“They are both among the best. They know every win counts, so they will do it fair-and-square but hard.”

Formula One is back on Dutch soil following a 36-year absence, and Verstappen delighted his 70,000-strong orange army by taking the 10th pole of his career, and sixth in seven rounds.

Hamilton, who heads Verstappen by just three points in the standings, pushed his rival all the way and improved with his final effort before coming up just short.

The world champion was predictably jeered by the hostile crowd.