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In a riveting Formula One showdown, Max Verstappen claimed victory in the rain-soaked Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, matching Sebastian Vettel's esteemed F1 record of nine back-to-back wins. Demonstrating dominance on the Zandvoort circuit, the Red Bull prodigy secured his third consecutive win after starting from the pole position.
Veteran Aston Martin contender, Fernando Alonso, showcased commendable skill, bagging the second spot and also clocking the fastest lap to earn a bonus point. Meanwhile, Alpine's Pierre Gasly finished behind Red Bull's Sergio Perez but managed to advance to the third position, thanks to a five-second penalty imposed on Perez for exceeding speed limits in the pit lane.
The eventful race encountered a significant disruption following a crash by Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu, leading to a 40-minute halt. As the race recommenced on the 65th lap out of 72, unpredictable weather made tire choice a strategic challenge for teams and drivers alike.
Upon restart, Verstappen maintained his lead over a lineup that included Alonso, Perez, and Gasly. Once the safety car paved the way, Verstappen showcased impeccable driving to solidify his 11th win for the season, extending his lead by a massive 138 points over Perez.
2013 was a golden year for Vettel, during which he set the consecutive win record while racing for Red Bull in its prime. Verstappen's recent triumph marks Red Bull's 14th consecutive win, tracing back to the final race of the previous year.
With this win, Verstappen is inching closer to his personal best of 15 F1 victories from last year, taking his total to 46 wins. Celebrating his 26th birthday next month, Verstappen's winning spree places him fifth in the all-time winners' list, with legends Alain Prost (51 wins) and Vettel (53 wins) within striking distance, given there are nine races still to go.
On the other hand, Ferrari faced another setback. Charles Leclerc, their star driver, was forced to retire on the 44th lap due to floor damage, marking his third DNF this season, equalling his total from the entire previous season.
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(With inputs from PTI, powered by AI)
