Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP 2021 to go at top of drivers'

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen produced one of the most remarkable performances by a driver in F1 2021 season as he absolutely dominated at the Circuit Zandvoort to clinch a memorable victory in front of the Orange Army in the stands. As Dutch GP returned to the calendar after 36 years, Verstappen ensured that the home fans would remember it for a long time as he finished ahead of Mercedes' duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas on Sunday.

Starting from pole position, it was always going to be a tricky race for Verstappen but the Dutch driver got off to a brilliant start. After Hamilton took an early pit-stop, Red Bull played it strategically and followed him to ensure that the Mercedes driver would not get any chance to overtake him later in the race. In the end, Max won the race quite comfortably with a gap of over 20 seconds as Hamilton took an extra pit-stop to register the fastest lap of the race towards the end.

Pierre Gasly finishes P4; good day for Ferrari

While it was a common sight at the podium with the trio of Verstappen, Hamilton and Bottas, there were some surprises behind them. Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly put on another impressive show as he finished P4. Ferrari's duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz also did a remarkable job to earn some crucial points for their team, after finishing P5 and P7 respectively.

However, Red Bull's Sergio Perez was voted as 'driver of the day' as the Mexican produced a remarkable recovery drive from behind the pack to eventually finish at P8. While it wasn't the result that he would have wanted at start of this weekend, it was huge considering where he started on Sunday.

Standings after Dutch GP 2021

With this win, the Dutch driver has climbed at top of the drivers' standings for this year's championship as he leapfrogged Lewis Hamilton. The F1 drivers' standings after Dutch GP are as follows:

1. Max Versatppen (224.5 points)

2. Lewis Hamilton (221.5 points)

3. Valtteri Bottas (123 points)

Talking about the constructors' championship, it was a good day for Mercedes as they extended their lead at top with both their drivers finishing at the podium. Post the race, the constructors' standings are as follows:

1. Mercedes (344.5 points)

2. Red Bull (332.5 points)

3. Ferrari (181.5 points)