FP1: Norris set the pace in the tricky opening Zandvoort practice
McLaren driver Lando Norris set the benchmark in the opening practice at the Dutch Grand Prix, with home hero Max Verstappen finishing second. F1technical's lead journalist Balázs Szabo reports from the Zandvoort circuit.
Just as predicted, the day got off in rainy conditions. The conditions forced drivers to use Pirelli’s wet and intermediate tyre before the track dried up for the final stages of the one-hour session.
McLaren’s Lando Norris set the benchmark on Pirelli’s soft tyres, recording a 1m12.322s. Reigning champion Max Verstappen was two tenths of a second slower, claiming second, from Lewis Hamilton in P3.
Carlos Sainz outbraked himself into the Tarzan turn, but his best effort saw him finish fourth fastest, from George Russell in P5.
Alexander Albon took an impressive P6 for Williams ahead of the McLaren of Oscar Piastri.
The Haas pair of Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen were eighth and ninth respectively, while Zhou Guanyu rounded out the top-10 in the Kick Sauber.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll set the 11th quickest time, with Sergio Perez, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Yuki Tsunoda in the RB and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso ending up from P12 to P15.
Taking over Valtteri Bottas car, Ferrari junior driver Robert Shwartzman ended his appearance for Kick Sauber in P16, ahead of Williams’ Logan Sargeant in P17 and the Alpine of Esteban Ocon in P18. Daniel Ricciardo was 19th for RB, while Pierre Gasly brought up the rear in 20th place.
