Dutch GP: Max Verstappen strengthens grip on Formula One title with victory on home soil

By Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 1605 GMT (0005 HKT) September 4, 2022

Max Verstappen claimed a second straight win on home soil.

(CNN)Max Verstappen claimed victory on home soil at an action-packed Dutch Grand Prix to further extend his lead at the top of Formula One's drivers' championship.

Verstappen stormed past Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages after some safety car drama to send the 100,000 Dutch fans into a frenzy at Zandvoort.The 24-year-old was greeted by orange flares and a sea of orange shirts as he crossed the finish line to claim his second straight victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.Mercedes' George Russell equaled his best finish in F1 with a distant second place and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc came in third, leaving Hamilton to finish a disappointing fourth after it looked for a while he might challenge Verstappen for the win.«It was not a straightforward race but we had to push,» Verstappen told Sky Sports after the race. «Of course with safety car, virtual safety car, making the right calls.Read More»It's always special to win your home grand prix. This year I had to work for it even more. An incredible weekend and I'm really happy we won the Dutch Grand Prix. I'm proud to be Dutch."Safety car confusionYuki Tsunoda and AlphaTauri caused some safety car drama in the middle of the race.After a relatively straightforward start to the race, a bizarre series of events began to unfold on lap 45, as Yuki Tsunoda brought his car to a stop at the side of the track, seemingly concerned that one of his tires was loose. With a safety car imminent, Tsunoda was told by his team that his tires were fine and the Japanese driver continued his race, only to slowly make his way into the pit lane. The AlphaTauri pit crew checked