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Verstappen Crashes Out of Home Race After Early Throttle on Wet Track

Max Verstappen's Red Bull hit the wall at Zandvoort, shedding a wheel and bringing out the red flag; Nico Rosberg says the crash could have become a multi-car shunt.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 23, 2026, 2:56 p.m. ETWritten Aug 23, 2026, 3:19 p.m. ET
Max Verstappen's hit the outside wall at the banked Arie Luyendijkbocht during his final home race, rebounded across the circuit and shed a wheel, bringing the race to a stop, according to motorbiscuit.com. The incident ended Verstappen's hopes of another podium at Zandvoort. Analyzing the incident for Sky Sports F1, Nico Rosberg noted that Verstappen ran tighter than the cars around him, even though the dry section was offset from the inside by roughly 50 centimetres. The four-time champion reached the throttle while his slick tires were still on the wet surface, Rosberg said. Pierre Gasly arrived moments later and had to avoid the damaged as it crossed toward the inside. One detached wheel also rolled loose after the impact, according to Reuters' account of the stoppage. Race control immediately displayed the red flag. Verstappen later accepted responsibility, saying he saw the dry patch and thought he could accelerate, but had gone 'a bit too early,' as reported by motorbiscuit.com. The cause of the crash has not been determined, but Rosberg's analysis suggests a driver error.

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  1. Version 123 Aug 2026, 19:19current

    First published.

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