Verstappen fastest as Aston Martin bounces back at Dutch GP

Max Verstappen topped the opening practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix in an hour of running which suggested a bounce back of sorts from Aston Martin.

Fernando Alonso was second best at Zandvoort to suggest the Silverstone squad had recaptured some of the form that propelled it to six podiums from the opening eight races of the year.

That saw him beat Lewis Hamilton, who was third but his best lap was compromised by a red flag for Nico Hulkenberg in the final third of the session.

The early laps saw a mix of hard and medium compound rubber on a circuit that had enjoyed little in the way of support programme track action.

As a result, it was dusty and slippery, with a breeze blowing down the front straight.

Ferrari had given Robert Shwartzman the nob to step in for Carlos Sainz, the first reserve driver to see action over a race weekend this season, as required under the…