Ferrari drivers pack 1-2 punch in practice at Dutch Grand Prix
Thousands of fans in orange shirts jam stands to cheer on Red Bull's Verstappen
Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz led one-two at the top of the practice time sheets after a stoppage hit opening day at the first Dutch Formula One Grand Prix in 36 years on Friday.
Red Bull's home favourite and title contender Max Verstappen, with tens of thousands of fans in orange shirts packing the grandstands, was second in the morning session and then fifth in the afternoon.
Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is three points clear of his Dutch rival, was fastest in a red-flagged and disrupted opening session before his car broke down in the second.
“I just lost power and so they told me to stop,” said Hamilton. “It's not the end of the world. “It's been a beautiful day, it's amazing to see the crowd, so many people here.”
The breakdown brought out red flags, with a further stoppage caused by Haas' Nikita Mazepin going into the gravel.
Leclerc's fastest lap of one minute 10.902 seconds was 0.154 quicker than Sainz, with Alpine's Esteban Ocon third.
“It was really enjoyable to see all of them in orange and having fun in the grandstands,” Verstappen said of his home reception.
“There are a few things we need to understand better to get a bit more pace out of it, but it's also not very representative because my lap was on a used set (of tires) and the lap I had to abort, I think would have been good enough for first.”
More than 35 minutes of the opening hour at the seaside circuit were lost after Sebastian Vettel's Mercedes-powered Aston Martin suffered a power unit failure and stopped, leaving a trail of oil.
Vettel grabbed a fire extinguisher as smoke came from the back, but the car appeared to remain electrically live and couldn't be removed until it was declared safe by a marshal in protective clothing.
By the time the process was complete, only six minutes remained and a roar went up from the crowd as the cars returned to the track in a final rush.
Hamilton lapped in 1:11.500 with Verstappen 0.097 slower, after losing time in traffic, and Sainz third and 0.101 off the pace.
Alphatauri's Yuki Tsunoda had an early spin that ended his involvement.
All three days have been sold out, with 70,000 spectators allowed to attend on each and nearly all supporting Verstappen or his team at an old-school track with some standout banked corners.
The 23-year-old Dutch driver is by far the most successful in his country's Formula One history, the youngest ever race winner and the first to challenge for the title. He is three points behind Hamilton after 12 races. A plane was spotted overhead during the session trailing a banner declaring “7XWDC. Simply lovely. #Teamlh” in support of Hamilton.
The Sun newspaper reported that one of the Briton's fans had paid £1,600 ($2,775) to charter the plane.
“It's a cheeky opportunity to show Lewis some extra support as he steps into the lion's den here in Max's back yard,” said fan Neil Steele.
“I hope it's a small way to get one up on the 70,000 Dutch fans that will surround and outnumber us few Lewis and Mercedes fans here at the track this weekend.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner expressed concern on Friday that rival Mercedes could block a bid to bring Alexander Albon back to Formula One next season, with seats opening up at Alfa Romeo and Williams.
Mercedes is also keen to place its newly crowned Formula E champion Nyck de Vries and Williams, which is interested in British-born Thai driver Albon, uses the German manufacturers' engines.
“We're working hard to get him (Albon) a seat,” Horner told Sky Sports television at the Dutch Grand Prix.
“I really hope that Mercedes don't block his opportunity at Williams. That would be a great, great shame.”
Horner explained that would be because of his links to Red Bull.
“It would be a great shame if a driver were to pay the penalty for that. Hopefully that won't come to play,” he added.
If no race seat was forthcoming, Albon would continue in a test and reserve role, added the boss.
Albon, 25, drove for Red Bull last year. but lost his seat to Mexican Sergio Perez, now confirmed for 2022 alongside Verstappen. The Thai has since raced in the German Touring Cars series.
Horner said Williams and Alfa Romeo had expressed “a lot of interest” in Albon and hoped something could be sorted out within days.
“I think his preference would be Williams,” he said. “But obviously there are a few hurdles. He's had about four phone calls telling him not to go there from the team next door (Mercedes). I told him to ignore them.”
With Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen retiring at the end of the season and Williams' George Russell lined up to replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes, Formula One is braced for a driver shakeup anyway.
Bottas is expected to replace Raikkonen, but there are doubts about the second Alfa seat, currently occupied by Italian Antonio Giovinazzi.