WATCH: Max Verstappen loses control over his Red Bull, spins twice during windy FP1 at Zandvoort

The Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort began with a dramatic opening practice session as Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, found himself grappling with the treacherous conditions on his home circuit. With high winds and intermittent rain making the track exceptionally tricky, Verstappen's typically flawless driving was put to the test.

As the second half of the 2024 F1 season commenced, anticipation was high, especially for the Dutch fans eager to see their local hero in action. The first practice session, however, proved to be a challenge for all the drivers, particularly Verstappen. Early into the session, Verstappen made a bold move by being the first to try the intermediate tyres.

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Verstappen's initial laps were promising, and he seemed poised to set the fastest time. However, the unpredictable conditions had other plans. As he approached Turn 12, a gust of wind and a slight misjudgment led to him clipping the inside curb, causing his Red Bull to spin in a dramatic 360-degree turn.

The incident, though heart-stopping for fans, resulted in no damage to the car, allowing Verstappen to continue without significant delay. Undeterred by the spin, Verstappen pushed forward, eventually setting a blistering lap time of 1m21.300s, which was nearly five seconds faster than the previous best set by Charles Leclerc.

Nico Hulkenberg’s poor run!

The session wasn't just tough for Verstappen. Nico Hulkenberg also had a rough outing, sliding off into the gravel at Turn 10 and later locking up at Turn 1, raising concerns about possible brake issues. The challenging conditions seemed to have caught everyone off guard, leading to a session where teams and drivers were left questioning what, if anything, they could learn from such a turbulent start.

As the Dutch Grand Prix weekend continues, all eyes will be on Verstappen to see how he adapts to the conditions and whether he can maintain his momentum in front of his home crowd. The dramatic start to FP1 at Zandvoort has set the tone for what promises to be an unpredictable and thrilling race weekend.