Aston Martin’s Dutch Grand Prix started in worst possible way as their number one driver Sebastian Vettel suffered with Engine failure at the start of FP1.
Zandvoort is a new track for most of the drivers on the grid, except few of them experienced the track in lower level competition. So any loss of running time will have a huge implication on the setup of the car for rest of the weekend.
Sebastian was the first driver to cause a red flag delay after a power unit-related issue forced him to park the car at the exit of Tarzan.
The recovery of the AMR21 meant the session had to be red-flagged after just over 15 minutes of running.
Sebastian managed to complete 6 laps in the morning session with a fastest lap time of 1:15.984, +4.484s down on session leader. It was good enough to classify him in P19.
His team mate Lance Stroll managed to complete 18 laps with a fastest lap time of 1:12.431, +0.931s down on Lewis’ time.
The team put in an excellent effort to ensure Sebastian could get out swiftly for FP2, ensuring he could get up to speed with Formula One’s first visit to a new-look Zandvoort.
Following an early red flag caused by the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian took to the track on a set of new Medium tyres.
The German managed to make up lost time in the morning session by completing 24 laps, with a fastest lap time of 1:11.713, +0.811s down on session topper Leclerc in lead Ferrari. His flying lap puts him in P10.
Stroll completed 29 laps with a fastest lap time of 1:12.136, +1.234s down on P1 time. The Canadian finished the session in P14.
Sebastian Vettel :
“I think overall that was a decent afternoon session. We had some catching up to do because of the power unit issue this morning.
“So I had to find the rhythm quickly and it helped that I have driven here before many years ago. They did not change too much on the track [layout], but I think the changes they have made are for the better.
“It is an exciting lap because of the banking and corners with camber are always good fun to drive. We need more circuits with these types of corners.
“The crowd was great, too, and I am enjoying the atmosphere. There is more to come from me and the car so it will be interesting to see what we can find overnight.”
Lance Stroll :
“It was a positive day to start the weekend and I really enjoyed the experience of driving at Zandvoort once again.
“Track time was limited in FP1, we finished ninth, and we looked strong in FP2 until we were caught out by the red flag when I was on a quick lap.
“I felt comfortable in the car and I think we have a good baseline. We know that qualifying is going to be key to success here because overtaking will be so difficult, but there is some degradation, which might make strategy a bit more of a factor.
“We have got plenty of data to look at tonight and we will aim to take another step forward tomorrow.”
