Lewis Hamilton led Formula 1 title rival Max Verstappen during a shortened first practice for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Hamilton set a time of 1:11.500s to finish just 0.097s clear of Verstappen in a session that was effectively reduced to just 25 minutes.
The duo head into this weekend’s event separated by only three points in the standings.
Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc classified third and fourth respectively, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas fifth, just 0.238s behind his team-mate up front.
Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon were sixth and seventh respectively for Alpine.
Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.
Formula 1 back at Zandvoort
Formula 1’s Dutch Grand Prix was held as a world championship round on 30 occasions between 1952 and 1985 but it subsequently dropped off the calendar as the sport sought new venues.
In 2019 it was confirmed that, facilitated by the rise and popularity of the Netherlands’ first grand prix winner Verstappen, Zandvoort would be returning to the calendar.
Zandvoort was renovated and some corners reprofiled ahead of its Formula 1 return, which was originally scheduled for May 2020, until being delayed by 16 months due to the pandemic.
Mercifully for Formula 1, and the hoard of Dutch spectators, conditions were fine and sunny on Friday, following the washed-out race at Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps five days ago.
However, while the weather played ball, it was a mechanical problem for Aston Martin driver Vettel that caused a sizeable interruption.
Vettel stoppage causes long delay
Sebastian Vettel returned to the pits after only a brief spell on track amid data on the Aston Martin pit wall pointing to an MGU-K issue.
Vettel was able to get back on track shortly after but soon stopped at pit exit due to a suspected engine failure, with fluid having leaked from the car.
The session was then red-flagged but there was then a delay as Vettel ensured that the correct type of extinguisher was used on the smoking AMR21.
Vettel treated the issue himself, with large parts of the AMR21 doused in extinguisher fluid, before leaving the scene.
Aston Martin mechanics eventually arrived, with rubber mats placed on the car while checks were undertaken, amid fears that it was still electrically live.
The car was finally removed from the scene but the incident resulted in over 35 minutes of the 60-minute session being halted.
Scruffy session for Norris
In spite of the limited track running a couple of drivers still encountered setbacks.
McLaren’s Lando Norris had to take to the grass to avoid a slow-moving Ocon and later skated through the large gravel trap at Turn 13.
Rookie Yuki Tsunoda also had a troubled session after spinning on his out lap on cold Hard tyres.
He completed only three laps in the session, none of them representative, leaving him at the foot of the 20-driver table.
Second practice is scheduled for 15:00 local time
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