{"id":1045,"date":"2026-08-21T12:36:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T15:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=1045"},"modified":"2026-08-21T12:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T15:47:04","slug":"george-russell-edges-lando-norris-to-capture-dutch-gp-sprint-pole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/george-russell-edges-lando-norris-to-capture-dutch-gp-sprint-pole\/","title":{"rendered":"Russell edges Norris to capture Dutch GP Sprint pole"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Russell on pole:<\/strong> George Russell edged Lando Norris by just 0.041s to secure pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint race.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leclerc locks in third:<\/strong> Charles Leclerc placed his Ferrari on the second row, slotting behind Norris and ahead of championship leader <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/andrea-kimi-antonelli-strikes-late-with-mercedes-to-top-dutch-gp-practice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>McLaren in the mix:<\/strong> Despite missing out on top spot, <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/mclaren-innovates-with-wavy-rear-wing-to-target-mercedes-at-dutch-gp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">McLaren&#8217;s new wavy rear wing update<\/a> helped Norris push Mercedes to the wire in Zandvoort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">George Russell snatched pole position for Saturday&#8217;s Sprint race at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1<\/a> Dutch Grand Prix after delivering a precision lap in SQ3 at Circuit Zandvoort.<sup><\/sup> The Mercedes driver clocked a 1:11.567 to top the timing screens, edging McLaren\u2019s Lando Norris by a mere 0.041s.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norris, who showcased strong pace throughout the short qualifying session following McLaren&#8217;s rear aerodynamic upgrades, held provisional pole in the dying moments before Russell crossed the line to reset the benchmark. Ferrari\u2019s Charles Leclerc completed a tight top three, finishing just 0.055s off the leading pace.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oscar Piastri landed the second McLaren in fourth position, while Championship leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/andrea-kimi-antonelli-strikes-late-with-mercedes-to-top-dutch-gp-practice\/\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/a> completed the top five.<sup><\/sup> Max Verstappen finished sixth on home soil, followed by Lewis Hamilton and Alpine&#8217;s Pierre Gasly.<sup><\/sup> Audi&#8217;s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad locked in ninth and tenth respectively.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Saturday&#8217;s Sprint race, followed by main Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.<sup><\/sup> <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> covers all track activities live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/news\/\">news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sprint Qualifying Results: Dutch Grand Prix 2026 (All 22 Drivers)<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Pos<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Driver<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Team<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Time<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Gap<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1<\/strong><\/td><td>George Russell<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td>1:11.567<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2<\/strong><\/td><td>Lando Norris<\/td><td>McLaren<\/td><td>1:11.608<\/td><td>+0.041s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3<\/strong><\/td><td>Charles Leclerc<\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td>1:11.622<\/td><td>+0.055s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4<\/strong><\/td><td>Oscar Piastri<\/td><td>McLaren<\/td><td>1:11.666<\/td><td>+0.099s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>5<\/strong><\/td><td>Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td>1:11.794<\/td><td>+0.227s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>6<\/strong><\/td><td>Max Verstappen<\/td><td>Red Bull<\/td><td>1:12.094<\/td><td>+0.527s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>7<\/strong><\/td><td>Lewis Hamilton<\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td>1:12.191<\/td><td>+0.624s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>8<\/strong><\/td><td>Pierre Gasly<\/td><td>Alpine<\/td><td>1:12.578<\/td><td>+1.011s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>9<\/strong><\/td><td>Gabriel Bortoleto<\/td><td>Audi<\/td><td>1:12.583<\/td><td>+1.016s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>10<\/strong><\/td><td>Arvid Lindblad<\/td><td>Racing Bulls<\/td><td>1:12.737<\/td><td>+1.170s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>11<\/strong><\/td><td>Liam Lawson<\/td><td>Red Bull<\/td><td>1:13.136<\/td><td>+1.569s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>12<\/strong><\/td><td>Yuki Tsunoda<\/td><td>Racing Bulls<\/td><td>1:13.145<\/td><td>+1.578s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>13<\/strong><\/td><td>Franco Colapinto<\/td><td>Alpine<\/td><td>1:13.439<\/td><td>+1.872s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>14<\/strong><\/td><td>Nico H\u00fclkenberg<\/td><td>Audi<\/td><td>1:13.616<\/td><td>+2.049s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>15<\/strong><\/td><td>Esteban Ocon<\/td><td>Haas<\/td><td>1:13.893<\/td><td>+2.326s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>16<\/strong><\/td><td>Alexander Albon<\/td><td>Williams<\/td><td>1:14.294<\/td><td>+2.727s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>17<\/strong><\/td><td>Oliver Bearman<\/td><td>Haas<\/td><td>1:14.728<\/td><td>+3.161s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>18<\/strong><\/td><td>Carlos Sainz Jr.<\/td><td>Williams<\/td><td>1:14.738<\/td><td>+3.171s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>19<\/strong><\/td><td>Lance Stroll<\/td><td>Aston Martin<\/td><td>1:15.391<\/td><td>+3.824s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>20<\/strong><\/td><td>Valtteri Bottas<\/td><td>Cadillac<\/td><td>1:15.472<\/td><td>+3.905s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>21<\/strong><\/td><td>Sergio P\u00e9rez<\/td><td>Cadillac<\/td><td>1:15.545<\/td><td>+3.978s<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>22<\/strong><\/td><td>Fernando Alonso<\/td><td>Aston Martin<\/td><td>1:16.014<\/td><td>+4.447s<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Session<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Local time (CEST)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>UTC<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Free Practice 1<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, August 21 \u2013 12:30<\/td><td>10:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sprint Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, August 21 \u2013 16:30<\/td><td>14:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sprint Race<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, August 22 \u2013 12:00<\/td><td>10:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, August 22 \u2013 16:00<\/td><td>14:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Race<\/strong><\/td><td>Sunday, August 23 \u2013 15:00<\/td><td>13:00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Who won pole position for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint?<sup><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">George Russell claimed Sprint pole position for Mercedes, beating McLaren&#8217;s Lando Norris by 0.041s.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Are grid penalties applied to the Sprint race?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No.<sup><\/sup> Grid penalties for exceeding <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/lewis-hamilton-charles-leclerc-and-more-power-unit-component-changes-at-the-dutch-gp\/\">power unit component limits<\/a> apply to Sunday&#8217;s main Grand Prix grid rather than the Sprint session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. When takes place the next session at Zandvoort?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Sprint race takes place on Saturday at 12:00 local time (CEST).<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>George Russell put together a blistering final effort to beat Lando Norris by 0.041s and take pole position for Saturday&#8217;s Sprint in Zandvoort, with Charles Leclerc finishing third.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020312398,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"George Russell","42wp_featured_image_credits":"AFP","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[227,17,117,134],"42wp_author":[13],"class_list":["post-1045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-dutch-gp","tag-george-russell","tag-lando-norris","tag-sprint-race","42wp_author-luana-marino"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1045"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1045\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1046,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1045\/revisions\/1046"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020312398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1045"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=1045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}