FP1 at Zandvoort saw Lando Norris lead McLaren 1-2 as Verstappen suffered a late off-track drama. Catch all the highlights from the first practice!
Introduction
The second half of the Formula 1 season kicked off in style at the Dutch Grand Prix, and it was McLaren that stole the show in Free Practice 1. Lando Norris topped the timesheets, ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll impressed with a strong third place. But the session wasn’t without drama—Max Verstappen, the home hero, suffered a late off after the chequered flag. So, what happened during this action-packed opening hour at Zandvoort? Let’s dive in.
Dry but Windy Conditions Set the Stage
The Zandvoort circuit welcomed drivers with bright skies, but the wind made life tricky for many. After a long summer break, teams were eager to gather data, and the session started with Nico Hulkenberg leading the pack out of the pits. Pirelli had a reason to celebrate too, marking their 500th World Championship Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s Early Spin Creates Drama
It didn’t take long for the first big moment—Lewis Hamilton had a scary 360-degree spin early on, triggering yellow flags. The Mercedes driver radioed in: “I’ve got flat spots all round.” Not the ideal start for the seven-time world champion.
Tsunoda’s Off and Antonelli’s Red Flag Moment
Shortly after Hamilton’s spin, Yuki Tsunoda had a trip off the track, but it was Kimi Antonelli’s incident that stopped the session. The young Mercedes rookie ended up beached in the gravel at Turn 9, bringing out the red flag with over 40 minutes remaining.
McLaren’s Dominance: Norris and Piastri Shine
Once the session resumed, McLaren took control. Norris clocked an incredible 1m 10.278s, putting him four-tenths clear of Piastri in second. It was a statement performance from the papaya team, who looked sharp right from the start of the weekend.
Alonso and Stroll Keep Aston Martin in the Mix
Fernando Alonso briefly took third, but in the final minutes, Lance Stroll surged into P3 with a strong lap. The Canadian seemed frustrated earlier when he got held up by Tsunoda, but he turned that frustration into a top-three finish.
Albon Impresses as Williams Shows Pace
Alex Albon continues to be Williams’ shining star. He slotted into fifth place, ahead of George Russell in the Mercedes. Williams has been surprising many lately, and this session was another positive sign.
Verstappen Starts Strong but Ends with a Scare
Max Verstappen topped the times early on but slipped to sixth as McLaren flexed their muscles. After the chequered flag, drama unfolded when the Dutchman went off track and ended up in the gravel following a practice start. The home crowd went silent for a moment before Verstappen’s car was recovered.
Medium Tyres vs Soft Tyres: The Strategy Game
Most teams started on medium tyres before switching to softs for performance runs. With rain forecast later in the day, this data could be gold dust for qualifying and race strategy.
Ferrari Struggles: Leclerc Admits “Miles Off”
It was a tough outing for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz ended the session in 14th and 15th, with Leclerc openly admitting the car was “miles off.” Not the words Tifosi wanted to hear.
Rookie Watch: Antonelli, Bearman, and Colapinto
Kimi Antonelli’s day ended in the gravel, leaving him 20th. Ollie Bearman had a quieter session, finishing 19th, while Alpine’s reserve Franco Colapinto was 18th. Plenty for the youngsters to learn.
Who Finished in the Top 10? Full Classification
The top 10 read: Norris, Piastri, Stroll, Alonso, Albon, Verstappen, Russell, Sainz, Bortoleto, and Gasly. McLaren’s strong start sets up an intriguing battle for the rest of the weekend.
Key Radio Highlights from FP1
Hamilton: “Flat spots all round.”
Stroll: “What is Tsunoda doing?”
Leclerc: “We’re miles off.”
These snippets tell you everything about how tense FP1 was!
Why Norris’ Time Could Be Crucial for the Weekend
With unpredictable weather looming, Norris’ benchmark might carry extra weight. If FP2 or FP3 gets washed out, teams could rely heavily on FP1 data for qualifying.
What Does This Mean for FP2 and Qualifying?
If McLaren maintains this pace, they could challenge Red Bull and Mercedes in qualifying. For Ferrari, big changes are needed to avoid an early exit in Q2.
Final Thoughts on an Action-Packed FP1
FP1 at Zandvoort had everything—spins, red flags, and a late shock for Verstappen. McLaren’s pace is real, Aston Martin is lurking, and Red Bull has work to do. Buckle up; the Dutch Grand Prix weekend has just begun!
