Lando Norris set the pace in the opening practice session for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, leading McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in a strong showing at Zandvoort.
The session unfolded under cool, windy conditions, a stark contrast to Europe’s recent heatwaves, as the Formula 1 season resumed after the summer break.
The one-hour work-out saw immediate action as all 20 drivers tackled the beachside circuit. Championship leader Piastri initially topped the timesheets, followed by home hero Max Verstappen and Norris.
Verstappen briefly led before yellow flags waved 11 minutes in due to off-track incidents. Yuki Tsunoda spun at Turn 12 but continued, while Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli understeered into the gravel at Turn 9, triggering a red flag.
The session resumed after an eight-minute delay, only for Carlos Sainz to slide off at Turn 12, highlighting the track’s challenges.
McLaren Dominates as Soft Tyres Shine
Despite the messy running, McLaren asserted dominance as Norris posted a blistering 1m10.278s on soft Pirelli tyres, with Piastri close behind at 1m10.570s, narrowing the gap to 0.292s.
The pair’s pace went unmatched, with other front-runners like Verstappen focusing on varied run plans.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso surprised with a late push to third, while Lance Stroll, despite frustration with Tsunoda’s impeding, secured fourth on a final soft-tyre run. Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the top five, showing promising form.
Verstappen’s Struggles and Ferrari’s Quiet Start
Verstappen couldn’t match McLaren’s pace, finishing fifth, 0.951s off Norris. The Dutchman’s session ended dramatically as he slid into the gravel at Turn 1 after a practice start post-chequered flag, locking up and parking his Red Bull.
George Russell, surviving his own gravel trap at Tarzan, took seventh, followed by Sainz and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto. Pierre Gasly completed the top 10 for Alpine.
Ferrari endured a subdued session, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton languishing in 14th and 15th, nearly two seconds off the pace.
Antonelli’s early exit left him last, underscoring a tough debut for the Mercedes rookie.
The session’s latter half saw teams shift to medium-tyre, high-fuel runs, stabilizing the leaderboard. McLaren’s soft-tyre speed signals their intent to challenge for pole, while Verstappen’s off-track woes and Red Bull’s conservative approach suggest work remains.
Aston Martin and Williams showed flashes of competitiveness, setting the stage for an intriguing weekend at Zandvoort.
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