Norris denies Verstappen pole position for F1’s Dutch Grand Prix

Zandvoort (Netherlands): Max Verstappen can be beaten at his home Dutch Grand Prix, after all.

Lando Norris produced a blistering lap to qualify on pole position ahead of the three-time world champion on Saturday. Next, he’ll aim to end Verstappen’s winning streak on home soil in Sunday’s race, further cutting into the Dutch driver’s lead at the top of the overall standings.

Norris’ final lap was far ahead of anyone else’s pace, beating second-place Verstappen by .356 of a second.

Verstappen, who is heading into his 200th race on Sunday, had taken pole position and won all three of the races held at Zandvoort since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the F1 schedule in 2021.

It was wet and windy for much of the race weekend — including rain in two of the three practice sessions — but it stayed dry for qualifying.

McLaren has brought new upgrades for its car and qualifying gave the latest indication it now has the edge on pace over the once all-conquering Red Bull.

Oscar Piastri was third-fastest in the second McLaren, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Verstappen’s under-pressure Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. Charles Leclerc was sixth for Ferrari.

There were two big surprises in the second part of qualifying as Carlos Sainz Jr. was 11th for Ferrari and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who won the last race in Belgium, was 12th for Mercedes.

Logan Sargeant didn’t take part after a heavy crash in practice Saturday morning which left his Williams on fire.