F1 analysts astonished by Verstappen: 'You could smash into the wall'

Verstappen managed to squeeze between the McLaren drivers at the start of the Zandvoort race by taking a different racing line and diving low into the first banked turn, almost losing control of his car.

The fact that this allowed him to temporarily claim the second spot at the start of the race, without crashing, was a stunning maneuver according to the Dutch analysts.

"If you can save it, in that way!", exclaims Doornbos, reflecting on the moment.

Verstappen almost lost control of the car, but suddenly he was splitting the McLarens, with a little help from the banking.

"You keep it steady, then you hit the dirt and the fact that he then shoots up and holds it, is truly all in", continues Doornbos. "This gentleman is taking risks."

"You also have to take risks with the red tyre, otherwise you don't benefit from that strategy, but this was all or nothing", says Doornbos, referring to the differing tyre strategies between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers.

Renger van der Zande, like Doornbos, was stunned by Verstappen's move.

Many drivers would have crashed, but Verstappen temporarily gained the second place.

Later he still finished with P2, but this was due to Lando Norris retiring later in the race - earlier he had been overtaken quite easily.

Van der Zande looks back: "He hit the dust and thought: I'm just going FULL send in that banking.

"Oversteer... for all you know, you could just smash into the barrier!", he concludes.