Following FP1 for the Dutch Grand Prix, Max Verstappen ran into trouble when his Red Bull suddenly died outside of Turn 1.
The home-favorite driver had just finished sixth in a session dominated by the McLaren cars when things went sideways.
Verstappen lined up on the grid to do a routine practice start. That’s when the bizarre incident happened.
The Dutchman shot straight through the Tarzan corner, barely missing disaster as he skimmed over the gravel and nearly hit the wall.
“I’m stuck,” he radioed back to his team.
With no way to get the car moving again, Verstappen had to climb out and leave his RB21 stranded on the track.
Before walking away, he paused to examine something on the floor at the rear of the car. The defending champion seemed confused by what had happened to his machine.
The unexpected breakdown raises questions about potential reliability issues heading into qualifying and Sunday’s race at Verstappen’s home circuit, where Dutch fans have created an electric atmosphere for their hero in recent years.
