FP3 Dutch GP: Norris tops charts again ahead of Piastri as McLaren dominates Zandvoort in a rain-affected session.
Introduction
Lando Norris continues to impress at Zandvoort, completing a hat-trick of fastest laps in Free Practice sessions ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. The McLaren driver stamped his authority with a scintillating lap in FP3, leaving team-mate Oscar Piastri trailing by over two-tenths of a second. With tricky conditions and a dramatic session, this final practice set the stage for an exciting qualifying showdown.
A Wet Start to FP3
Overnight rain left the Zandvoort circuit damp and slippery at the beginning of FP3. Drivers weren’t rushing to head out, knowing the track was “green” and lacking grip. For the first few minutes, the pit lane was eerily quiet.
The First Brave Explorers
Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar was the first to roll the dice, heading out on intermediates to gauge the conditions. Unfortunately, his gamble didn’t pay off as he quickly realized the track was improving rapidly and returned to the pits after a single lap. Kimi Antonelli soon followed on medium tyres, showing early courage despite the damp patches.
McLaren Shows Early Strength
Once the track dried, McLaren wasted no time demonstrating their pace. Norris, already the fastest on Friday, laid down a solid marker after 20 minutes. His lap times signaled McLaren’s intent to dominate, and Piastri wasn’t far behind. The papaya cars were flying.
Lando Norris Sets the Benchmark
Just past the 20-minute mark, Norris clocked an incredible 1m 08.972s, smashing his previous efforts and leaving the rest of the grid scrambling to catch up. It was a masterclass in precision driving—Norris looked completely in sync with his car.
Oscar Piastri Stays Close Behind
While Norris took the headlines, Oscar Piastri wasn’t far off. At one point, the Aussie even held the top spot with 1m 10.120s, but Norris soon responded with his ultimate flyer. Interestingly, Piastri was faster in the first sector, hinting that qualifying could be a nail-biter.
Verstappen’s Struggles on Home Soil
Max Verstappen, the local hero, couldn’t find his rhythm. His best lap on soft tyres was nearly a second slower than Norris, placing him outside the top three. The Red Bull looked unsettled, and the Dutch fans will be hoping this is just sandbagging ahead of qualifying.
Russell and Sainz Make Their Presence Felt
George Russell gave Mercedes something to smile about by securing third spot, while Carlos Sainz pushed his Williams into the top five—yes, Williams! It was an unusual sight that added intrigue to the grid shake-up.
The Incident Between Russell and Alonso
There was a heart-stopping moment when Russell and Fernando Alonso nearly collided at high speed near the pit entry. The incident is under investigation, and it added drama to what was already an action-packed session.
Surprises in the Midfield Battle
The midfield saw plenty of movement. Alex Albon in the second Williams impressed again, while Lance Stroll made it into the top 10 despite a tough Friday. Isack Hadjar bounced back from FP2 woes to secure a strong position too.
Lance Stroll’s Recovery After FP2 Crash
After his heavy crash in FP2, Stroll’s Aston Martin required a survival cell change overnight. Against the odds, he returned strong, even leading the session briefly before the big guns turned up the heat.
Ferrari’s Mixed Fortunes
Ferrari fans had mixed feelings. Charles Leclerc stayed inside the top six, but Lewis Hamilton—yes, driving a Ferrari this season—could only manage 14th. Something is clearly not clicking for the former champion.
Newcomers and Young Guns Impress
Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto showed flashes of promise early on. Antonelli, despite being blocked on his final attempt, displayed raw pace and composure, proving why Mercedes trusts him for the future.
What Does This Mean for Qualifying?
If McLaren’s pace in FP3 is anything to go by, they’re the team to beat. Norris looks in a league of his own, but Piastri is lurking, and Verstappen will be desperate to turn things around in front of his home fans.
Key Takeaways from FP3
McLaren is dominant. Norris is flying. Piastri is ready to pounce. And Verstappen? He has work to do. Add in a fired-up Russell and the unpredictability of Zandvoort, and we’re set for a thrilling qualifying showdown.
Conclusion
Lando Norris’ FP3 performance was nothing short of spectacular. With McLaren firmly in control and rivals struggling, the stage is set for a fascinating battle in qualifying. Will Norris convert this dominance into pole position? Or will Verstappen strike back at the last moment? Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride.
