Luckless Verstappen disappointed for Dutch fans

Max Verstappen rued another retirement, his fifth in seven races, but the huge number of Dutch fans present in Austria were left equally disappointed.

Verstappen's short-lived race went wrong from the start when the Red Bull driver stalled as the lights turned green.

Bogged down on the grid, he eventually got up to speed only to be hit from behind at Turn 1 as he found himself on the receiving end of a chain reaction.

A replay showed Dany Kvyat out of control under braking and hitting Fernando Alonso's McLaren which in turn made contact with Verstappen, spinning the Red Bull driver around.

"In the actual start I got a stall," Verstappen said.

"Then I got hit on the rear tyre, which basically broke the bearing on the clutch and i Had no drive."

The incident will only add to the 19-year-old's frustrations this season, and consolidate his position as the driver with the lowest number of race laps under his belt in 2017.

Verstappen had ventured out to a camping site at the Red Bull Ring yesterday afternoon to salute the massive community of Dutch fans who made their way to Speilberg to support their favourite driver.

"Of course, I'm very disappointed, also for the fans. I think they're the best crowd and I coudln't even do one corner for them.

"I don't know what to say really..."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.