F1 News: Norris tops Verstappen in qualifying for the Dutch GP
Lando Norris in the superior #4 McLaren turned a lap of 1m9.673s to win pole for the 2024 Dutch GP at Zandvoort.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
“Nice to be back and to start with a pole! It was a nice lap, qualifying was pretty smooth and I put in some good laps. It’s harder than it looks, it’s tricky out there but I felt comfortable. The car feels amazing, everything is working very well so a big thanks to the team. I’m excited for tomorrow.”
Max Verstappen in the #1 Red Bull Honda improved in Q3 to nab the outside pole position, a massive 0.356s behind Norris because he was hit by a gust of wind.
“We just lacked a bit of pace, I tried the best I could and I’m still happy with the front row. It was tricky with the gusts of wind. I’m happy with second – considering yesterday as well, this is a good result. Hopefully the car is okay tomorrow in the race.”
Oscar Piastri put the #81 McLaren in third position, 0.499s behind his teammate Norris.
“I just didn’t do a good enough job, the first half of the lap was okay, the second half wasn’t what I needed. the car has been quick this weekend, so a bit disappointing not to be higher up. But I have a good car so hopeful of getting some good points tomorrow. The pace looked good in the long run, so hopefully we can have a good day, get a good start and make up a couple of places.”
George Russell was 4th in his #63 Mercedes, 0.571s behind Norris while his teammate Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in Q2 and may be moved back further after he sees the Race Stewards for blocking Sergio Perez.
Sergio Perez rounded out the top-5 in his #11 Red Bull, 0.743s behind Norris.
Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon were seventh and eighth, ahead of Lance Stroll in 9th and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top-10.
The floor body on Alex Albon’s Williams was found to lie outside the regulatory volume mentioned in Article 3.5.1 a). This has been referred to the stewards, and is likely to result in a disqualification.
Tomorrow is set to be dry for the Grand Prix. So we should get a standing start, and a fight from the off between Norris and Verstappen.
Who has the better race pace? Who can manage their tires and nail their strategy? And who is going to emerge from the 72-lap outing around Zandvoort with a victory to their name?
2024 Dutch GP Qualifying Results
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Laps |
| 1 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:11.377 | 1:10.496 | 1:09.673 | 14 |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:11.393 | 1:10.811 | 1:10.029 | 14 |
| 3 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:11.541 | 1:10.505 | 1:10.172 | 16 |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.049 | 1:10.552 | 1:10.244 | 18 |
| 5 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:11.006 | 1:10.678 | 1:10.416 | 17 |
| 6 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:11.370 | 1:10.689 | 1:10.582 | 24 |
| 7 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:11.493 | 1:10.845 | 1:10.633 | 16 |
| 8 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:11.503 | 1:10.768 | 1:10.653 | 18 |
| 9 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:11.518 | 1:10.661 | 1:10.857 | 19 |
| 10 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:11.718 | 1:10.815 | 1:10.977 | 20 |
| 11 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:11.327 | 1:10.914 | – | 18 |
| 12 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:11.375 | 1:10.948 | – | 13 |
| 13 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB Honda RBPT | 1:11.603 | 1:10.955 | – | 15 |
| 14 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas Ferrari | 1:11.832 | 1:11.215 | – | 17 |
| 15 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 1:11.630 | 1:11.295 | – | 15 |
| 16 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | RB Honda RBPT | 1:11.943 | – | – | 9 |
| 17 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault | 1:11.995 | – | – | 9 |
| 18 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:12.168 | – | – | 9 |
| 19 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:13.261 | – | – | 9 |
| 20 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams Mercedes | No Time | – | – | 0 |