ZANDVOORT (Nethe­rlands): McLaren driver Lando Norris won pole position for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix, the current world champion pipping Mercedes rivals George Russell and Kimi Antonelli into second and third place on Saturday.

The British driver set a time of one minute and 11.163 seconds, 0.102 seconds faster than compatriot Russell, to take a critical advantage into the Grand Prix race on Sunday.

“Best lap of my life,” said a pumped-up Norris, who had earlier complained his McLaren was lacking pace after being beaten into third in the sprint race earlier on Saturday.

“I just had to commit through everything because I knew how close it was going to be,” added the 26-year-old, who is enjoying a run of good form having won the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break.

Russell had been the quickest driver all weekend but was forced into second place on the grid on the last qualifying lap that was affected by light rain.

World championship leader Antonelli will start from third on the grid, ruing a difficult qualifying session with an error in turn one costing him a few crucial tenths of a second.

The teenage sensation set the pace in the first half of the season, winning six races, including a stunning run of five consecutive Grand Prix.

But the chasing pack has closed in fast, with McLaren in particular bringing upgrades to their car that have brought them into contention.

Oscar Piastri, who took the chequered flag last year at Zandvoort, qualified fourth, ahead of the two Ferraris driven by Charles Leclerc and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Despite raucous home support, local favourite Max Verstappen was unable to make an impact and will start seventh on the grid.

Sunday’s race promises to be a nail-biter, with just a few tenths of a second separating the top four or five drivers.

Starting on pole however will be a major advantage for Norris.

Since Zandvoort returned to the Grand Prix calendar in 2021, the pole-setter has won every time given the difficulty of overtaking on the unique track.

Ferrari will also challenge on Sunday. Leclerc overhauled Norris in the sprint and Hamilton will be aiming to take a chunk out of Antonelli’s 53-point championship lead.

McLaren, who have won here for the past two editions, will also be in the mix and it would be a brave punter who rules out four-time world champion Max Verstappen — especially not at his “home” Grand Prix.

The “orange army” roaring him on will hope he can produce a miracle in his Red Bull that has been off the pace so far this season.

Sunday’s Grand Prix will be the last edition for the Dutch at the Zandvoort circuit.

Despite attracting big crowds eager to see Verstappen, promoters have pulled the plug, saying the financial risks were too great.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2026