Key takeaways
- Leclerc’s best lap: Charles Leclerc called his SQ3 attempt the “best qualifying lap of the year” after missing out on Sprint pole position by just 0.055s in Zandvoort.
- Ferrari progress: The Monegasque praised Ferrari’s setup improvements and floor upgrades introduced for the Dutch GP.
- Tight title fight: Leclerc lines up behind Sprint pole-sitter George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris, putting three different constructors in the top three positions.
Charles Leclerc came within fractions of a second of securing pole position for the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint race, finishing third in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying at Circuit Zandvoort. Despite missing out on top spot, the Ferrari driver hailed his SQ3 effort as his finest qualifying performance of the 2026 season so far.
Leclerc posted a benchmark time of 1:11.622 in his SF-26, ending up just 0.055s behind Sprint pole-sitter George Russell and a mere 0.014s adrift of McLaren’s Lando Norris. The tiny gap highlighted an incredibly competitive battle between Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari around the narrow coastal track.
Speaking after the session, Leclerc highlighted the setup improvements Ferrari made coming out of the summer break following engine component changes introduced at Zandvoort.
“It was my best qualifying lap of the year, which means we are doing something right in terms of setup. It doesn’t mean it will stay like this forever, but it is always good to take steps in the right direction, especially after such a long break,” Leclerc said.
Charles Leclerc delivered a stellar SQ3 lap to secure 3rd in Zandvoort (Photo: Scuderia Ferrari)
“So it was good work. Unfortunately, we missed out on pole by just a tiny margin, but we are right in the fight,” he added.
Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Saturday’s Sprint race, followed by main Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all track activities live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.
Sprint Qualifying Top 5 Results: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.567 | — |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:11.608 | +0.041s |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:11.622 | +0.055s |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:11.666 | +0.099s |
| 5 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:11.794 | +0.227s |
Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Session | Local time (CEST) | UTC |
| Free Practice 1 | Friday, August 21 – 12:30 | 10:30 |
| Sprint Qualifying | Friday, August 21 – 16:30 | 14:30 |
| Sprint Race | Saturday, August 22 – 12:00 | 10:00 |
| Qualifying | Saturday, August 22 – 16:00 | 14:00 |
| Race | Sunday, August 23 – 15:00 | 13:00 |
Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States
- United States (Eastern Time / ET)
- Broadcaster: Apple TV
- Sprint Race: Saturday, August 22 – 06:00 ET
- Qualifying: Saturday, August 22 – 10:00 ET
- Race: Sunday, August 23 – 09:00 ET
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Where did Charles Leclerc qualify for the Dutch GP Sprint?
Charles Leclerc qualified in third position, just 0.055s behind pole-sitter George Russell.
2. Where did Lewis Hamilton qualify for the Sprint race?
Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in SQ3, posting a best time of 1:12.191 in the second Ferrari SF-26.
3. Did Ferrari bring upgrades to the Dutch Grand Prix?
Yes, Ferrari introduced an updated floor specification and fresh exhaust systems for both Leclerc and Hamilton at Zandvoort.
