Wolff slams 'idiots' throwing flares

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has slammed the behaviour of fans who threw flares onto the Zandvoort circuit during Saturday's qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix.

The FIA had to suspend the session for several minutes after a flare was thrown onto the circuit just as Q2 had begun.

Another flare appeared on track during the Q3 top ten shootout for pole position, though the session was able to continue uninterrupted.

The FIA said the individual responsible for throwing the first flare had been "identified and removed by event security", with at least one arrest understood to have been made.

Following the session, Wolff was scathing in his criticism of the perpetrators, noting the danger of a flare potentially striking a driver.

"It's a shame that there are a few total idiots out there who don't consider what a flare on track can do to a driver," Wolff told media including RacingNews365.com.

"If such a can hits you, it could have lethal consequences. The halo wouldn't help you in that.

"We looked at the camera angles and Lewis was going through the pit lane when it happened.

"I don't know if somebody threw it at him but it happened before he actually was at that point. I hope that the organisers get a grip on it with the security."

Verstappen appeals to Dutch crowd

The increasing use of flares at Grands Prix has become synonymous with supporters of Max Verstappen, and after winning pole position, the Dutchman appealed to the Zandvoort crowd not to throw flares onto the circuit.

"It's just very silly to do, to hold flares already," Verstappen told media including RacingNews365.com.

"It's nice, but there is a limit to how much. But to throw it on the track is just stupid."

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