Max Verstappen crashes out at the Dutch Grand Prix

The Dutch Grand Prix, the twelfth race of the 2026 Formula 1 season, was marked by a dramatic and dangerous start on August 23, 2026. Local favorite Max Verstappen suffered a severe accident, losing control of his Red Bull vehicle, which subsequently crashed into the track barriers. This incident forced his immediate exit from the competition in front of his home crowd at Zandvoort.

In a separate but related incident occurring simultaneously, Nico Hulkenberg narrowly avoided a high-speed collision with his Audi teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto. Bortoleto had lost control of his car and spun on the racing line, forcing Hulkenberg to perform an emergency braking maneuver. Hulkenberg managed to steer clear of his teammate just moments before a detached wheel from Verstappen's crashed Red Bull flew past the area, narrowly avoiding further catastrophe.