Dutch GP 2025 FP1: Norris Leads McLaren 1-2 Amid Zandvoort Drama

Lando Norris set the early benchmark at Zandvoort, topping the first practice session for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix with a 1:10.278, edging out McLaren teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri by 0.292s. Lance Stroll impressed for Aston Martin in third, just ahead of Fernando Alonso, as the session delivered drama, gravel traps, and a few surprises.

FP1 Recap: McLaren Lead, Chaos Behind

The opening hour at Circuit Zandvoort was anything but straightforward. Gusty winds and a green track caught out several drivers, leading to multiple offs and two red flag interruptions.

Lewis Hamilton was the first to have a moment, spinning his Ferrari at Turn 3 and flat-spotting his tyres.
Yuki Tsunoda endured a scrappy session, spinning twice — once after a practice start and later running through the gravel.
Kimi Antonelli’s morning ended early after beaching his Mercedes in the gravel, completing just six laps — a costly blow with rain forecast for later sessions.
Local hero Max Verstappen also found himself stuck in the gravel at Turn 1 after locking up on entry, bringing his run to a premature halt.
George Russell had a trip through the gravel but managed to recover without damage.

Despite the interruptions, most drivers managed a decent haul of laps, with teams keen to bank dry running before the expected wet weather in FP2.

Top 10 Classification

Lando Norris – McLaren – 1:10.278 (Soft)
Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.292 (Soft)
Lance Stroll – Aston Martin – +0.501 (Soft)
Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – +0.563 (Soft)
Alexander Albon – Williams – +0.893 (Soft)
Max Verstappen – Red Bull – +0.940 (Medium)
George Russell – Mercedes – +1.108 (Medium)
Carlos Sainz – Williams – +1.180 (Soft)
Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber – +1.231 (Soft)
Pierre Gasly – Alpine – +1.335 (Medium)

Aston Martin’s Strong Start

Aston Martin carried momentum from their strong Hungarian GP into Zandvoort. Stroll and Alonso both featured in the top four, suggesting the AMR25 is well-suited to the high-downforce demands of the Dutch circuit. Whether this pace holds in race trim remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising.

Ferrari Struggle for Pace

Ferrari endured a difficult start. Charles Leclerc was 14th and Hamilton 15th, both over 1.6s off the pace despite running soft tyres. Hamilton’s early spin and Leclerc’s radio complaints about balance hint at deeper setup issues.

Rookie Watch

It was a mixed morning for the rookies:

Antonelli’s early exit leaves him on the back foot.
Gabriel Bortoleto impressed with P9, just 1.2s off Norris.
Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson showed solid pace in the midfield.
Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman were further down the order but gathered valuable mileage.

Key Takeaways

McLaren look sharp from the outset, with Norris and Piastri continuing their title fight at the top.
Aston Martin could be a dark horse this weekend.
Ferrari have work to do to unlock pace before qualifying.
Weather could play a decisive role, with rain expected in FP2 and potentially across the weekend.

Looking Ahead

If the rain arrives for FP2, FP1’s dry data will be even more valuable. McLaren have laid down a marker, but with Verstappen yet to show his full hand and Aston Martin lurking, the battle for pole could be wide open.