McLaren’s Lando Norris takes pole for Dutch Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen
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Lando Norris has won only once in his career so far, and failed to convert previous poles in Spain and Hungary this season into victory.
PHOTO: AFP
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ZANDVOORT – McLaren’s Lando Norris took pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix by a hefty margin on Aug 24 and ended Max Verstappen’s 100 per cent qualifying record at the Formula One championship leader’s home circuit.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, yet to be beaten at Zandvoort since the race returned in 2021, will still line up alongside the Briton on the front row.
Australian Oscar Piastri qualified in third place for McLaren and George Russell completed the second row for Mercedes, winners of three of the last four races.
“I felt comfortable out there. The car felt amazing. We had some upgrades and everything is working very well,” said Norris after lapping the seaside circuit with a best time of 1min 9.673sec.
“I’m excited for tomorrow. I’m sure it will be tough. Max has been quick all weekend. I know we got him today but he’s still second and will put up a good fight, especially at his home race.”
Verstappen, who could suffer a fifth defeat in a row, took provisional pole from Norris with his second flying lap but the roar of the crowd soon subsided as the McLaren went 0.356 of a second quicker.
“I tried the best I could. I’m still happy to be on the front row,” said the 26-year-old, who has a 78-point lead over Norris after 14 of 24 races and is competing in his 200th Grand Prix.
“It was tricky out there with the wind. We had these gusts of wind, so every lap felt different, so you can’t really go off a reference. I’m happy with second. After yesterday, this is a good result.”
Verstappen had been only seventh fastest in the first phase and eighth in the second but, never to be counted out, he saved the best for last on an overcast afternoon.
“We will give it a good go but when you are more than three-tenths behind in qualifying, I think you have to be realistic. I will just try to have a good race,” he said.
Norris, 24, has won only once in his career so far, in Miami in May, and failed to convert previous poles in Spain and Hungary this season into victory.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez qualified fifth with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sixth and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso seventh.
Alex Albon will line up eighth for Williams with Lance Stroll ninth for Aston Martin and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly completing the top 10 on the grid.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, winner of two of the last three races, qualified 12th for Mercedes with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz 11th and also unable to take part in the final top-10 shoot-out.
Williams’ Logan Sargeant did not take part in qualifying after wrecking his car in a crash during the day’s final practice, which had to be halted.
His car crashed heavily and caught fire, with the American jumping out of the wreckage unhurt. The team said they would continue to repair and build his car in preparation for Sunday.
AFP, REUTERS
