Max Verstappen of Red Bull withstood losing the lead in early rain and a red flag for a late torrential rainstorm to win the Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen equaled the all-time record of nine consecutive victories and won his 11th race of the season, extending his championship lead to 138 points.

A downpour shortly after the race began dropped Verstappen to second behind teammate Sergio Perez before he repassed on lap 13, while heavy weather with eight laps remaining necessitated a red light and a 45-minute delay.

But, like he has been all season, Verstappen was always in command and never seemed like he was going to lose the race.

After a typically aggressive race, Fernando Alonso finished second in the Aston Martin, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly grabbed the final podium slot after Sergio Perez, who finished third on the track, was penalized for speeding in the pit lane.

Perez had been running second behind Verstappen when he collided with Alonso at Turn One after switching to intermediate tyres moments before the race was called off.

Perez did enough in the final seven laps to avoid falling behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who was fending off an attack from Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes.

Lando Norris of McLaren finished eighth, ahead of Alex Albon of Williams, who was the only driver to brave sticking out on dry-weather tyres throughout the first rain spell.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren and Esteban Ocon of Alpine completed the top ten points positions, while Alonso denied Verstappen the fastest lap by pushing hard as the final rain shower reached the circuit.