Will Norris end Verstappen’s winning streak in Zandvoort?

Fans Are Guaranteed ‘Super Exciting Sunday’

For the fourth year in a row, the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix is the biggest sporting event in the Netherlands, but tomorrow will bring something new compared to previous editions since the race its return to Zandvoort. For the first time in his home Grand Prix, Max Verstappen will not start from pole position but alongside friend and rival Lando Norris.

Regardless of the outcome of the race, which starts at 15:00, the 100.000 race fans, already thrilled by Super Friday and Qualifying Saturday, are guaranteed a “Super Exciting Sunday.”

After a wet final practice session that was cut short to just 15 minutes due to a heavy crash involving Logan Sargeant, who fortunately emerged unscathed, qualifying did not disappoint. Fans were on the edge of their seats for the full 45 minutes—figuratively speaking, as the celebrations in the stands were, of course, conducted standing and dancing. Despite the rain, nearly 100,000 fans came to Zandvoort today.

Narrow Margins

The gaps in today’s qualifying were incredibly small—so small that drivers like Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) failed to make it to Q3 due to minor errors.

The McLarens appeared to be in control, while Max Verstappen gave everything to keep up with them. Lando Norris impressed in Q3 with the fastest time, significantly ahead of the home favorite. “In Q1 and Q2, I didn’t feel like I was in contention for pole position,” said the three-time Zandvoort winner afterward. “But I’m happy to be starting from the front row tomorrow. I can be satisfied with that.”

The Attack

A dry race is expected tomorrow, and Verstappen has exactly 265 meters after the start before he must make the turn into the Tarzan Corner. The question is whether he will have already launched his first attack by then. Norris has been warned. He is confident but knows Verstappen all too well. “The car was good, and I was good. It’s not an easy circuit, especially with the wind. I feel very comfortable this weekend. The gap to Max surprised me, but that doesn’t mean I’ll have it under control tomorrow.”

Strategy

Verstappen is certainly not resigned to a Norris victory. “But I don’t feel completely comfortable in the car. The balance isn’t right, and I’ve lost time somewhere in every lap. Maybe I’m holding on to something that’s no longer there,” Verstappen acknowledged, not ignoring the new reality.

Tomorrow, Verstappen will have a McLaren in front of and behind him at the start. Oscar Piastri made it clear he has his own ambitions. “I’m curious about Red Bull’s strategy; it could be very interesting. There are no agreements between Lando and me. We’re allowed to race each other. That’s not an issue.”

However, Norris added one rule: “We’re not allowed to drive each other off the track.”

F1 Academy

After a dry Formula 1 qualifying session, the weather turned in Zandvoort today, preventing the scheduled first race of the F1 Academy, Formula 1’s women’s class, from taking place. The sixteen drivers, including Dutch racers Maya Weug, Emely de Heus, and debutant Nina Gademan, will now race twice tomorrow. The first race has been rescheduled to 8:30 AM. The rest of the program remains unchanged.