Max Verstappen puts gearbox disaster behind him to take pole for Dutch Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton starting fourth

MAX VERSTAPPEN sent the orange-clad fans wild by taking pole for the Dutch GP - then slammed the "stupid" ones to threw smoke bombs onto the track.

Qualifying had to be stopped as one flare was removed from the live race track while the fan was identified and chucked out of the circuit.

A second flare was lobbed onto the track in the final part of qualifying in another dangerous moment, but thankfully it rolled off the circuit and away from the passing cars.

Verstappen blasted the individuals who made up the 105,000 crowd at Zandvoort.

He said: "To hold flares already, it's nice but there's a limit to how much. But to throw it on the track is just stupid.

"The person who did that got removed. Just don't do that. It's not good for anyone.

"You get thrown out so you can't see the race and for us the session is stopped because it's dangerous, there's stuff on the track. So you shouldn't do it."

It comes after Dutch fans were accused of sexual harassment, racism and homophobia at Austrian Grand Prix.

There were also incidents of them burning Lewis Hamilton merchandise in Hungary and altercations with police in Spa.

Charles Leclerc, who will start today's race in second place, condemned the actions of those who threw the missles.

He added: "It's dangerous, so don't do this type of thing. This shouldn't happen.

"I don't know if in the future we can do anything to avoid that. If a car is passing at that time, then it can create unnecessary risk."

A spin in the final seconds for Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez put pay to Lewis Hamilton's chances of challenging for a front-row start.

The Mercedes man was forced to slow due to the yellow flags waved for Perez's stricken car.

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However, he is confident after a strong performance all weekend and looking to make up for his first-lap crash at Spa last weekend.

He said: "I was much happier coming into this weekend, to have a car that's potentially fighting but I just don't understand.

"One weekend it can be so far off and the next weekend, all of a sudden, we're right there, so it's confusing.

"But there are lots of positives to take from today. If we hadn't had the yellow flag we would have been fighting for the front row.

"The potential is there but I have no idea whether the car is going to be good or bad at the next races.

"It's like a mood swing. Like the characteristics of a human being, you don't know what side of the bed you're going to get out of."

When quizzed about his chance of making it on to the podium, he added: "I am definitely optimistic it's just difficult to overtake here so we'll see.

"I felt I could go quicker so I hope that that translates for the race, but I'll definitely be pushing as hard as I can for a podium."

Hamilton's teammate George Russell was also denied a higher-starting berth on the grid due to Perez's late error.

And the Brit, who will start in sixth place on the grid, also had his say on the flares, which were prohibited by security and smuggled in.

He said: "The fans here and the atmosphere here is one of the best of the season, it's impressive what they've done as an event.

"But you can't mess around with things like this. It's a shame for everyone else.

"How dangerous are they? If you run over it it's quite sharp, it could give you a puncture. It could be harmless or cause a lot of damage.

"It's quite a spectacle seeing it in the fans but can't imagine if you're standing there it's the most pleasant thing to be within.

"It'd be a shame seeing them totally banned because it's part of the show now but I'd like to see people show a bit more common sense."