SAEDNEWS: Oscar Piastri edged team-mate Lando Norris to pole for the Dutch Grand Prix by just 0.012 seconds in an intense McLaren duel at Zandvoort; Max Verstappen qualified third as the drivers’ title fight remains finely poised.
According to SaedNews, Piastri produced a crucial first-lap flyer in Q3 to deny Norris the top spot in qualifying at Zandvoort, squeezing ahead by 0.012s as both McLarens set their best times on their opening runs. Norris briefly looked quicker on the final runs, but neither driver improved — underlining how razor-thin the margins are in this championship. Piastri now leads Norris by nine points with ten races still to run.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a three-time Dutch GP winner since 2021, qualified third — 0.263s down on pole — while rookie Isack Hadjar continued his impressive form with a superb fourth on the grid. George Russell put Mercedes fifth, with the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton lining up close behind. Liam Lawson rounded out the top eight after an encouraging session for his team. Notable incidents included Lance Stroll’s heavy qualifying crash that leaves him starting from the back.
Qualifying underlined both McLaren’s one-lap pace and the depth of competition: small gains in setup or a single clean corner can decide the grid. With Zandvoort’s high-speed, twisty layout and the crowd behind Verstappen, Sunday promises tactical nuance, strategic tyre calls and the usual potential for late drama.
