Lando Norris delivered when it mattered most at Zandvoort, beating George Russell and championship leader Kimi Antonelli to claim pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver produced a brilliant final lap in Q3 to put himself at the front of the grid for Sunday’s race, recovering from a difficult Sprint earlier in the day where he finished third behind Russell and Charles Leclerc.
Russell had looked like the driver to beat after winning the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint from pole, but the Mercedes driver could not match Norris’s pace when it mattered most. He will start Sunday’s race alongside Norris on the front row.
Antonelli secured third for Mercedes, putting both Silver Arrows cars firmly in contention for victory. The young Italian will be looking to extend his championship advantage in what promises to be another intense battle with his teammate.
Lewis Hamilton produced a strong qualifying performance for Ferrari to take fifth, while Charles Leclerc will start alongside him after qualifying sixth.
Max Verstappen had a frustrating session in front of his home crowd, qualifying outside the top five and leaving Red Bull with work to do if the Dutchman is to challenge for victory.
Norris heads into the Grand Prix with a huge opportunity to convert his pole into a much needed victory. With Russell and Antonelli starting directly behind him, however, there will be no room for mistakes.
After Russell’s Sprint victory earlier in the day, Mercedes appeared to have the upper hand at Zandvoort. Norris’s qualifying performance has changed the picture completely and sets up a fascinating fight for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.
The lights will go out with Norris on pole, Mercedes’ two championship contenders directly behind him, and Hamilton leading Ferrari’s challenge
