In an exciting and incident-rich qualifying session, Max Verstappen managed to take pole position for the GP of the Netherlands on the Zandvoort circuit. Lando Norris qualified on the front row in the McLaren. After Verstappen conquered pole, a ‘Dutch party’ arose in Zandvoort.
Is that rain heading our way? #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/lilA4wZCjd
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
After it rained during the last practice session, rain was also predicted for qualifying. Just before the start of qualifying, rain clouds appeared on the horizon and the drivers took to the track as quickly as possible.
Q1 GREEN LIGHT
Qualifying is go!!! The track is still very wet and most drivers have bolted on inters #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/KsxWijf0Ks
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
On the intermediates we saw several drivers make mistakes and then it wasn’t raining heavily. Max Verstappen also went through the gravel trap but was released with a fright.
Conditions are very tricky
Even Max Verstappen is struggling, running over the gravel at Turn 1 #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/5z0UXRQzXA
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
When Carlos Sainz pulled out of the pit lane halfway through Q1, it almost came to a collision with Oscar Piastri in the McLaren. The Australian only just managed to avoid Sainz.
That was close
Piastri takes to the grass to avoid Sainz #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Mxoj40aeNS
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
Alex Albon was surprisingly the fastest in the Williams during Q1, followed by Max Verstappen by a handful of thousandths. Charles Leclerc narrowly escaped an early exit in his Ferrari.
Q2 GREEN LIGHT
Away we go again with 15 drivers now in play #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/gRLkYUWlCw
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
Also in Q2 we saw most of the drivers quickly get out on track. However, there were threatening rain clouds around the circuit, but during Q2 it remained remarkably dry and the circuit gradually dried up. We even got to see a nice and dry driving line on certain parts of the circuit.
Sainz “Track is drying, super quickly”
We can’t be far away from slick tyres now#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/vvbdYXmL1Z
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
At the end of the second part of qualifying we had a very close battle for a place in Q3. Max Verstappen was the fastest, but the big surprise was the elimination of Lewis Hamilton, who did not get further than a thirteenth time.
Thats P13 and the end of qualifying for Lewis. Traffic and ever-changing conditions didnt help. pic.twitter.com/2TG4ajZkYV
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) August 26, 2023
In Q3 some drivers took to the track on dry weather tyres, even though the track was not completely dry yet, there was a mostly dry ideal driving line.
Q3 GREEN LIGHT
The top 10 shootout is go – should be a cracker! #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/X1KUfrGaKT
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
A few minutes into Q3 we got a red flag after Logan Sargeant crashed. On his dry-weather tyres, Sargeant went slightly off the dry ideal driving line and he immediately paid for it in cash. The American managed to push through to Q3 for the first time and his crash put a considerable damper on the ‘celebration’.
RED FLAG
Oh no, Logan!
Sargeant’s first Q3 didn’t last long as he hits the barriers at Turn 2#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/sEqrfoH1KB
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
We obviously got a red flag and that allowed the track to dry out even further. It caused lap times to take a serious plunge right away when Q3 resumed. Lando Norris drove to a provisional fastest time, followed by teammate Oscar Piastri at about two tenths. Max Verstappen had to settle for third fastest on his first attempt.
Leclerc skidded off onto the grass and took a fairly hefty hit to the barriers
Pride bruised, otherwise okay #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/L7avBtLK9V
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
Charles Leclerc caused a red flag with just over four minutes left on the clock. The Monegasque went wide and crashed into the tire wall. A strange crash by Leclerc but it added some extra tension in the battle for pole.
Charles is sitting this one out #DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/IFmVTulIw0
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023
During the ultimate fast runs, Max Verstappen drove to pole position, to the delight of the home crowd, who created a ‘Dutch party’. Lando Norris drove his McLaren to second fastest and a place on the front row. George Russell completed the top three. It is remarkable that the top six of the qualification consists of six different teams. It therefore promises to be an exciting race, although Max Verstappen seems to be the big favorite for victory as always.