George Russell started the last Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort well by taking the sprint pole on Friday. With a 1:11.567, the Brit was faster than the competition, including his teammate and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc complete the top three with their second and third places respectively. Oscar Piastri followed in fourth place, less than a tenth behind polesitter Russell.
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“It’s great to be back,” is George Russell’s first reaction after securing the sprint pole. The Dutch GP at Zandvoort is again the first race after the summer break. “It’s a circuit I love, and where you really have to give it your all. It was a tough end to the first half of the season, so I’m happy to come back like this.”
The sprint pole did not come easily for the Brit – who announced his engagement during the summer break. “The lap felt very good,” he continues. “In sprint qualifying, it’s always difficult because you only get one chance. The McLarens and Ferraris were also fast, but I was able to put together a good lap when it mattered.”
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The Mercedes driver is then further asked about the competitiveness of Ferrari and McLaren – the only two teams besides Mercedes to have won a Grand Prix this year. “Of course, it’s just a sprint qualifying, and the points are awarded on Sunday,” he continues. “But I definitely want to carry this momentum into tomorrow.”
‘Thank you’
Finally, Russell also takes a moment to reflect on the last Dutch GP at Zandvoort. “I definitely have to thank the fans. You always provide a great race. It’s also a unique circuit, so ‘thank you’,” the Brit concludes in an attempt to thank the audience present in Dutch.
Read more Sprint Qualifying Results GP Netherlands 2026
Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here
