The Dutch Grand Prix nearly turned into a nightmare for Audi. On the opening lap at Zandvoort, heavy rain just before the race made the final corner extremely slippery. Two of its drivers, Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, were involved in a heart-stopping moment that almost ended in a massive collision.
It all started when Max Verstappen lost control and hit the wall. Bortoleto, following behind, reacted and spun, producing a thick cloud of smoke that blanketed the track. Hulkenberg, coming from behind, could barely see anything, and it was only reflex and luck that saved them from direct contact.
“It was very tricky. I wasn't sure where he was going to go, if he was going to roll up or roll down. I was waiting, hesitating until the last moment. A good portion of luck not to hit each other there. But that was too close for comfort,” said Hulkenberg.
Bortoleto admitted his spin was partly a reaction to seeing Verstappen's crash ahead. “It was a little bit of a reaction to what I've seen ahead, but I lost the car there, lost a few positions. I thought I was going to crash in that moment, but I think the banking obviously helps you to keep in the low side. I just managed to do a 360,” he explained.
Despite the scare, Bortoleto avoided the wall and finished 13th, while Hulkenberg scored a season-best eighth. Audi racing director Allan McNish admitted the moment made his heart skip a beat, recalling the 'Days of Thunder' scene.
“When I first saw Gabi spinning, and then Nico coming out the other side of it, I didn't quite realise that he had gone into the smoke. It was a bit too much 'Days of Thunder' for my heart. But ultimately, both of them did a good job, Gabi, to keep it out of the wall. In that situation and on a banking, anybody that's seen NASCAR or IndyCar knows that it's a skill. But at the same time, as well, for Nico to thread his way through it,” said McNish.
McNish emphasized that the result was satisfying given the potential disaster on the first lap. “From that perspective and that first lap, to be able to come away with points is very satisfying because that could quite easily be the other way,” he added.
Baca Juga
Yuki Tsunoda tampil impresif saat menggantikan Isack Hadjar di GP Belanda, finis ke-11 dan melobi tim F1 untuk kontrak 2027.
Stefano Domenicali menyambut baik kontrak baru Max Verstappen di Red Bull, menegaskan F1 tak bisa tanpa pembalap Belanda itu. Simak pernyataan lengkapnya.
Kimi Antonelli mengakui Mercedes bukan lagi mobil tercepat di F1 setelah dua kekalahan dari McLaren. Simak analisis dan harapannya untuk bangkit.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!