Zandvoort (Netherlands) (AFP)

Ferrari at the forefront, Hamilton at the garage: the first two free practice sessions of the Dutch Grand Prix, back on Friday after a 36-year absence from the Formula 1 calendar, offered some unexpected twists and turns.

First surprise on the Zandvoort circuit, the best time goes to Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in 1 min 10 sec 902/1000, 154/1000 ahead of his Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz Jr and 172/1000 ahead of Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) .

Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), victim of an engine problem, spent most of free practice 2 in the garage, which is never ideal ... especially on a new track.

As one would expect on the grounds of Max Verstappen (Red Bull), his runner-up for three points in the championship, this mishap made the 70,000 spectators all in orange shout with joy (i.e. 67% of the circuit's total capacity). , Covid-19 requires).

The tone for the weekend is set: Hamilton will have to face more than one opponent!

"It's completely natural", relativizes the Briton.

"I am wrestling with their driver so I don't take it too personally."

Philosopher, the Mercedes star is also about his breakdown.

"Of course, that puts us a little behind, he admits. But Valtteri (Bottas) had a good session", 4th at 230/1000 and ahead of Verstappen, 5th at 362/1000.

- "Make up for lost time" -

The seven-time world champion should therefore be able to rely on the data collected by his teammate to "make up for some lost time" in free practice 3 Saturday at 12 noon (10 am GMT), before qualifying at 3 pm (1 pm).

Lewis Hamilton, victim of an engine problem, gets out of his Mercedes, on the Zandvoort circuit, September 3, 2021 Koen van Weel ANP / AFP

The lap times of free practice 2 are not entirely representative, moreover, several drivers, including the Dutchman, having had to abort their fastest lap.

"We look really good but I'm pretty sure that the best teams (Red Bull and Mercedes) still have some under their feet, Leclerc is delaying suddenly. But compared to our direct competitors (Alpine and McLaren), we look good. "

Knowing that overtaking will be extremely difficult in the race on Sunday, the starting positions on the grid are likely to be crucial.

Verstappen knows this.

If he "seems competitive on long stints", the Dutchman is not fully satisfied with his level of performance over one lap.

"We will have to work on some things that we are not entirely happy with," he warns.

- "Unique" -

To succeed in qualifying for the 13th round of 2021, it will also be "essential not to get stuck in traffic", now know the boss of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, and his counterparts.

German Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) was also the victim of an engine problem in FP1 and Russian Nikita Mazepin (Haas) went out in FP2, recalling that mistakes pay cash on such a narrow track.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen performs in front of his audience at the Zandvoort circuit, September 3, 2021 Vincent Jannink ANP / AFP

The consequence of this series of incidents is that, out of the two hours allocated to them on the track, the pilots were deprived of about fifty minutes of taxiing.

But every second counts on a circuit on which neither they nor their teams have a reference.

Especially with its short, narrow, hilly route and especially its inclined turns taken at high speed, Zandvoort offers a "unique" experience on the calendar, to use the words of Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), a little disappointed with his 7th position in FP2.

In any case, between the need to make up for lost time and the pleasure of driving on a historic circuit, under the sun after the rain in Belgium last week and in front of a particularly enthusiastic audience, everyone is already eager to get behind the wheel.

© 2021 AFP