Key events

That’s all from me for today. Yara El-Shaboury will be with you for tomorrow’s race, but for now, here’s Giles Richards’ verdict from Zandvoort:

double quotation markNorris’s pace and control was quite something, doubly so since he had railed against how much the car was struggling for pace after he managed only third in the sprint race on Saturday, which was won by Russell. Indeed, Norris described it as the “best lap of my life”, apparently in reference to how the car was not at its best.

For Norris this was another affirmation that he has not yet surrendered his title and that McLaren can still be in the fight with Mercedes, notably after he also took pole and victory at the last round in Hungary.

Their car development has been ferocious and, most importantly, effective, including another swathe of developments brought here, fulfilling the expectations of the team principal, Andrea Stella, whose calm assurance at the helm has been a striking piece of management as the team adjusted to the new regulations.

Wolff sees track position as key, when asked about Russell’s chances tomorrow: “If he is able to go ahead, we have the pace in the long run. If he’s not able, you’re pretty much stuck.”

What about Toto Wolff? “It’s a good starting point for tomorrow … George had the upper hand a little bit. The stopwatch never lies.”

Stella continues: “The sprint told us we had to improve the car in used tyres, reduce degradation, if we want to be competitive.” The proof will be in Sunday’s pudding.

Andrea Stella is measured, as ever, in conversation with Bernie Collins. “I think it’s a very positive qualifying session, not only for here in Zandvoort – it confirms the pole position we scored in Hungary. It gives a bit of substance to the trend.”

Here’s how they all finished:

1 Lando Norris 🇬🇧 McLaren 1:11.163
2 George Russell 🇬🇧 Mercedes 1:11.265
3 Kimi Antonelli 🇮🇹 Mercedes 1:11.296
4 Oscar Piastri 🇦🇺 McLaren 1:11.305
5 Lewis Hamilton 🇬🇧 Ferrari 1:11.494
6 Charles Leclerc 🇲🇨 Ferrari 1:11.558
7 Max Verstappen 🇳🇱 Red Bull 1:11.618
8 Liam Lawson 🇫🇷 Red Bull 1:11.733
9 Gabriel Bortoleto 🇧🇷 Audi 1:12.079
10 Arvid Lindblad 🇬🇧 Racing Bulls 1:12.185

Q2 eliminations
11 Pierre Gasly 🇫🇷 Alpine 1:12.616
12 Yuki Tsunoda 🇳🇿 Racing Bulls 1:12.627
13 Nico Hülkenberg 🇩🇪 Audi 1:12.797
14 Franco Colapinto 🇦🇷 Alpine 1:12.800
15 Esteban Ocon 🇫🇷 Haas 1:13.137
16 Alexander Albon 🇹🇭 Williams 1:13.182

Q1 eliminations
17 Carlos Sainz 🇪🇸 Williams 1:13.574
18 Fernando Alonso 🇪🇸 Aston Martin 1:13.650
19 Lance Stroll 🇨🇦 Aston Martin 1:13.818
20 Oliver Bearman 🇬🇧 Haas 1:13.826
21 Valtteri Bottas 🇫🇮 Cadillac 1:14.371
22 Sergio Pérez 🇲🇽 Cadillac 1:14.600

What does that mean? The lesson of the sprint was that the McLaren lacked race pace: both the top-10 overtakes were on their cars. Which is why Norris was managing expectations. But he will have clean air if he can get to the first corner and he won in Hungary from pole.

Norris was in danger of going all Schteve McLaren with the Dutch interviewer.

Antonelli says: “It was a difficult session for me … In Q3 I thought we had a shot, but all to play for tomorrow.”

Russell says Lando did a great job and is pleased with second “I’m in my groove again … I feel in a good place, I feel myself again.”

Norris speaks: “A little surprised … A good turnaround. We had to try something … enough to give me a bit more confidence.”

Norris ran a 1:11.163, and Piastri in fourth was only 0.142 back.

It’s back-to-back main-race poles for Lando Norris and George Russell ahead of his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Oscar Piastri, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad complete the top 10.

Hamilton, the last man on the track, up to fifth.

Almost three minutes left, but that is likely to be that. Norris on provisional pole.

Antonelli goes fastest, but is pipped by Norris, then Russell splits them!

Rain is falling on the camera. Russell is racing Norris for position.

It’s all about rain. Everyone going out earlier than usual.

News in brief: Nor, Rus, Pia, Lec, Ant, Ver, Law, Ham, Lin, Bor.

Hamilton only eighth, behind Lawson. Ouch.

Russell goes 0.151 behind Norris. If the rain comes, that could be that for Norris to take pole.

Norris does a 1:11.344, ahead of Piastri and Antonelli.

It is colder and the wind has picked up and there may be rain, reports Bernie Collins.

Possible unsafe release for Verstappen in front of Russell. Not that the Dutchman thinks so. Harry Benjamin can’t believe the chutzpah of his team radio message.

Lindblad and Bortoleto are the only drivers without two new sets of softs for Q3.

Some more of those Zandvoort tributes:

double quotation mark“Honestly, I think it’s a great track. From a driving perspective, especially in qualifying, it’s super fun,” said teen sensation Kimi Antonelli, who is leading this year’s championship.

“It’s definitely a shame to lose a track like this,” added Antonelli, as many drivers praised the “character” of Zandvoort compared to purpose-built tracks in places like the Middle East.

The fans are closer to the track than at other venues, creating a raucous atmosphere as the Dutch “orange army” roar on their beloved champion Verstappen.

“It’s proper old-school driving. It’s definitely one of the best tracks on the calendar compared to some tracks that we go to now that... lack a bit of character,” said Verstappen.

“So, yeah, it’s definitely going to be missed, for sure. It’s always been really fun to drive. Even if I would not be Dutch, you know, to drive here would have been always amazing,” he added. Agence France-Presse

Q3 entrants in order: Norris (1:11.628), Piastri (+0.013), Verstappen (+0.246), Leclerc (+0.282), Antonelli (+0.287), Russell (+0.331), Hamilton (+0.342), Lawson (+0.673), Bortoleto (+0.805) and Lindblad (+0.897). Gasly in 11th was +0.988.

Hamilton had a nasty lockup, and so did Russell. Not ideal with the shootout to come.

Out go Gasly, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Ocon and Albon.

Norris goes fastest by 0.013 from Piastri. It doesn’t really matter as it’s Q2 but it’s good for the confidence.

Pressure on Verstappen on his home circuit for the last time but he can handle it. Up to P3, which will more than do it.

Verstappen went out on old tyres and is down in ninth. He needs some new softs for his second run, Bernie Collins averrs, to be safe.

The drop zone is Gasly, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Albon.

It is so tight at the top. Piastri gets a 1.11.834, 0.026 faster than Norris, with Lelerc and Russell also under 1:12.000.

Russell doing well again, with a 1:11.959, with Antonelli 0.431 behind him.

Q2 under way and the locals are on their feet for Max Verstappen.

The Dutch Grand Prix will be missed:

double quotation markFor three days a year, the quiet residential street of Van Speijkstraat in the sleepy Dutch beach resort of Zandvoort transforms itself into a sea of orange streamers and chequered flags, welcoming Formula One fans from around the world.

Party tunes blast out from house parties, children sell home-made lemonade and friendship bracelets from little “pit stop” stalls and colossal posters of local hero – four-time world champion Max Verstappen – flutter in the sea breeze.

But to the regret of fans and drivers alike, Sunday marks the last edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, which returned to the circuit in 2021 but simply isn’t generating enough profits for the promoters.

“We try to make the greatest party ever,” said housewife Sabine Volkers, 38, as her children danced on the street and tried to entice passers-by to buy lemonade. Agence France-Presse

Sainz and Alonso just miss out on Q2, and Stroll, Bearman, Bottas and Perez are also out.

Norris just 0.085 behind Piastri, but Hamilton then splits the McLarens.

Last runs now. The big names are all in the top 10, with Hamilton in 10th.

Gasly has been noted for an unsafe release.

Bottom six is now Bortoleto, Bearman, Ocon, Bottas, Perez and Stroll.

Hamilton went through the gravel. That will do his car no good at all.

A really good lap for Alonso, up to 12th.

The drop zone looks like Stroll, Bottas, Perez, Bortoleto, Gasly and Colapinto. Surely that will change.

Good laps for Russell and Antonelli, in second and fourth.

Norris goes fastest now in 1:13.060, but Piastri gazumps him: 1:12.848.

Verstappen also faster than Leclerc … but 0.181 behind Lawson.