Jeremy Clarkson praises Charles Leclerc’s Zandvoort overtake: “Now that is proper racing!”. Jeremy Clarkson reacts to the Dutch GP.

The Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix delivered plenty of emotions, from Charles Leclerc’s battle with George Russell to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s incident. And Jeremy Clarkson had something to say about all of it. At a circuit like Zandvoort, where overtaking is notoriously difficult, fans were treated to a race full of twists and turns. In the end, it was Oscar Piastri who claimed victory, taking advantage of Lando Norris’s retirement in the final stages to strike a decisive blow in the championship fight.

On a track such as the Dutch one, overtaking opportunities are usually scarce. But when someone shows the right instinct and courage, the spectators get to witness unique manoeuvres. Charles Leclerc’s attack on George Russell at Turn 12 was the perfect example: the Ferrari driver took on the tight chicane to pull off a move as daring as it was unexpected, catching the British driver completely off guard.

The contact between the two brought back memories of the infamous clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at Monza in 2021. However, this time the consequences were less dramatic: Russell’s Mercedes #63 suffered some damage and was forced to slow down, while the stewards classified it as nothing more than a simple “racing incident.”

Clarkson: “Leclerc a real driver, leave Antonelli alone”

The Zandvoort Grand Prix sparked plenty of discussion across social media. Among the many voices commenting on the race was Jeremy Clarkson, former presenter of Top Gear and The Grand Tour. A long-time Formula 1 enthusiast, Jeremy Clarkson was left amazed by the Ferrari star’s move: “Charles Leclerc, good heavens! Now that is proper racing!”

Meanwhile, some pundits – including Jacques Villeneuve – harshly criticised Andrea Kimi Antonelli, blaming him for the incident that eliminated Charles Leclerc from the race. Clarkson, however, chose to defend the young Italian, pointing out what many in the paddock seem to forget: “He’s just a kid,” he said, reminding everyone of Antonelli’s inexperience at the very highest level of Formula 1.