Max Verstappen wins rainy Dutch Grand Prix to equal Vettel’s F1 record with 9th straight victory

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands: Runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen won a rain-marred Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday to equal Sebastian Vettel’s F1 record of nine straight victories, and increased his huge championship lead to 138 points as he races toward a third straight world title.
The Red Bull star clinched his third straight win from pole position at the Zandvoort track, with veteran Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain finishing second and picking up a bonus point for the fastest lap.
“Nine in a row is something I never even thought about. Very happy with that,” Verstappen said.

“I know I have a car which is capable of a lot.”
The orange-clad home crowd pumped him up.
“I already had goose bumps when they were playing the national anthem before the start. Even with all the bad weather and the rain the fans were still going at it, an incredible atmosphere,” the Dutch driver said.

“I’m going to enjoy this. It’s always tough, the pressure is always on to perform.”
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly crossed the line in fourth place behind Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, but the Frenchman moved up to third because Perez was given a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
For Gasly, who was given the same penalty earlier, it was a fourth career podium.
“I’m feeling so stoked, what a race,” he said.
Perez ended up fourth ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr.

and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
The chaotic race was held up for 40 minutes by a late red flag after Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu crashed. It restarted with a rolling start on Lap 65 of 72, in a race that featured multiple tire swaps as changing weather conditions played havoc.
“There were so many rivers on the track it just becomes so dangerous,” Verstappen