Just like the previous editions, Max Verstappen can start from first place at the GP of Zandvoort. The Dutch Red Bull driver achieved the fastest time: 1.10.567. Britain’s Lando Norris and George Russell took second and third for Sunday’s race.
Verstappen was unable to set the fastest time in Q1, the first qualifying round. The Dutch Red Bull driver had little grip with his car due to the changing weather and was even at the back of qualifying. He was able to recover and drove to the first time, but it was quickly broken by Lando Norris. However, it was Alexander Albon who surprisingly took the fastest time. He had changed his tires just before the end of Q1. The difference with Verstappen was 26 thousandths (!).
Rain was predicted in the second qualifying round, which meant that Verstappen wanted to set a fast time as quickly as possible. For a long time he didn’t seem to give up that time. That changed when Albon surprised him again. The Dutchman had to react and switched his tyres. That change of tactics paid off, as he still took the fastest time ahead of Oscar Piastri and Albon.
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Logan Sargeant caused a red flag in Q3 with a crash. He drove his car into the wall, forcing everyone to return to the pits. Qualifying was halted for about twenty minutes. Verstappen had not yet set a time at that time and knew what he had to do. Charles Leclerc did not help by also placing his car in the wall, so that the race was halted again.
Verstappen had set the third fastest time behind Norris Piastri just before Leclerc’s crash. The Dutchman still took the fastest time and pole position in his last lap: 1.10.567.
The race starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday.