Zandvoort: Norris dominates also the FP3, this time with a masterclass lap
Lando Norris completed a clean sweep of the Dutch Grand Prix practice sessions by topping FP3 at Zandvoort with a blistering 1:08.972 — a lap seven-tenths faster than last year’s pole time. The McLaren driver once again had the measure of his teammate Oscar Piastri, who ended the session 0.242s adrift, leaving the Australian with work to do ahead of qualifying if he wants to challenge for pole.
McLaren in Control, Norris Untouchable
McLaren’s pace has been the story of the weekend so far, and FP3 only reinforced that narrative. Norris looked supremely confident on the soft tyres, his MCL39 stable and responsive through Zandvoort’s sweeping curves. His sector one and two times were the best of the field, and while Piastri managed the quickest final sector, it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Piastri briefly went fastest mid-session with a 1:10.120, but once Norris bolted on a fresh set of softs, the Briton reclaimed the top spot with authority. The gap between the two McLarens is significant for such a short lap, suggesting Norris has a genuine edge heading into qualifying.
The Battle Behind: Margins in the Hundredths
While the fight for P1 looks like a McLaren intra-team duel, the scrap for the second row is wide open. George Russell took third for Mercedes, just 0.055s ahead of Carlos Sainz in the Williams. Max Verstappen, cheered on by the home crowd, was a mere 0.012s further back in fifth, with Charles Leclerc in sixth. The top five behind Norris were covered by less than a tenth, setting up a thrilling qualifying battle.
Alexander Albon impressed again for Williams in seventh, ahead of Lance Stroll, Isack Hadjar, and Fernando Alonso, meaning seven different teams featured in the top 10.
Traffic, Tensions, and Incidents
As is often the case at Zandvoort, traffic was a major talking point. Several drivers had laps compromised, with notable flashpoints including Franco Colapinto cutting across Pierre Gasly, and Kimi Antonelli weaving through a pack on the main straight. The most dramatic moment came when Alonso and Russell almost made contact at pit entry — an incident now under investigation by the stewards.
The session ended under double yellow flags in multiple sectors, adding to the stop-start rhythm that frustrated many drivers.
Tyre Choices and Track Evolution
The session began on a damp but drying track, with some drivers briefly trying intermediates before quickly switching to slicks. Early laps were slow due to the washed-out surface, but as the sun came out and the track temperature climbed to 25.8°C, grip levels improved significantly. This evolution meant late soft-tyre runs were crucial for setting competitive times.
Pirelli’s C2, C3, and C4 compounds are in play this weekend, and with the race forecast still uncertain, teams are gathering as much data as possible on all three.
Key Takeaways Ahead of Qualifying
- Norris vs. Piastri: The McLaren pair are in a league of their own, but Norris has a clear advantage so far.
- Tight Midfield: Positions 3–6 are separated by less than a tenth, making Q3 a potential lottery.
- Traffic Management: With 20 cars on a short lap, clean air will be at a premium in qualifying.
- Home Hopes: Verstappen is in the mix, but Red Bull may need to find more to challenge McLaren.
With the track record under threat and the weather holding — for now — qualifying at 14:30 local time promises to be a high-stakes, high-drama shootout. If Norris maintains this form, he could be on course for back-to-back Zandvoort poles, but Piastri and a tightly packed chasing group will be determined to stop him.