After an exciting qualifying, George Russell starts from pole in the sprint race at the Zandvoort circuit on Saturday. The Mercedes driver surprisingly proved to be the fastest in the sprint qualifying on Friday, ahead of world champion Lando Norris. Max Verstappen finished sixth in front of his home crowd.
Read more George Russell starts last Dutch GP well with sprint pole: ‘Thank you, Zandvoort’
SQ1: Antonelli escapes unscathed, Verstappen seventh
With only one free practice behind them, the first serious showdown begins. Kimi Antonelli quickly ends up in the gravel trap, but after a short time in the pits, the Italian championship leader can continue without damage. He survives the first cut. The same goes for Max Verstappen, who as number 7 in this first part of the sprint qualifying in Zandvoort still has to tolerate substitute teammate Liam Lawson ahead of him.
For Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz, Lawrence Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Pérez and Fernando Alonso, the session ends already in SQ1.
SQ2: McLaren drivers Piastri and Norris show muscle
McLaren impresses in SQ2. Oscar Piastri is the fastest, Lando Norris follows. This shows that the team from Woking has speed, after also doing well at the Hungaroring before the summer break. Verstappen again does not get beyond the upper midfield (eighth), but he is faster than Lawson. Lawson is eliminated: P11 is not enough to advance to the third part. Surprisingly, Pierre Gasly and rookie Arvid Lindblad do make it through.
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Besides Lawson, his Racing Bulls replacement Yuki Tsunoda also does not survive the cut. The Japanese driver finishes twelfth. Behind him, the sprint qualifying also ends for Franco Colapinto, Nico Hülkenberg, Esteban Ocon and Alexander Albon in succession.
SQ3: Russell narrowly stays ahead of competition
With fewer minutes on the clock than in a regular qualifying, it is rightly called a shootout in the fight for pole. That battle is won by George Russell. He rushes to P1 in SQ3, Norris and Leclerc complete the top three. Verstappen has to settle for sixth place on the grid in the sprint race in the dunes of Zandvoort on Saturday, championship leader Antonelli starts fifth in the sprint race.
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Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here
