Russell Qualifies on Pole for Sprint Race as F1 Returns at the Dutch GP
Russell posted a 1:11.567 lap to edge Norris by 0.041 seconds and claim his first pole of the F1 2026 season.
- On Friday, Mercedes driver George Russell secured pole position for Saturday's Dutch Grand Prix sprint race, pipping reigning world champion Lando Norris of McLaren by 0.041 seconds.
- This achievement marks Russell's third sprint pole of the 2026 season, reflecting significant progress for the Briton after enduring a difficult first half of the campaign.
- Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified third, just 0.055 seconds off the pace, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri took fourth ahead of championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli in fifth.
- Home favorite Max Verstappen claimed sixth for Red Bull ahead of seventh-placed Lewis Hamilton, while Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso struggled after rear wing technical issues.
- Heading into Saturday's sprint at Zandvoort, Russell will lead the field ahead of Norris and Leclerc as the 22 drivers prepare for a competitive outing.
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Both McLaren drivers finished in the top 4, with Antonelli and Verstappen looking to improve on Saturday.
Russell roars to Dutch GP sprint pole, Antonelli fifth
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will be third on the grid ahead of Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren. Current world championship leader Kimi Antonelli was a surprisingly low fifth in qualifying after setting the fastest time in practice in his Mercedes. Back for the first race after the tradional month-long summer break, Russell set a time of one minute and 11.567 seconds, 0.041 seconds faster than Leclerc, ahead of what looks like being a knife-ed…
The Independent
The Independent (US)George Russell pips Lando Norris to pole position for 24-lap dash at Zandvoort
The Mercedes driver is bidding to close the gap on team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings.
Formula 1 will return to Zandvoort with the Dutch Grand Prix. Mercedes driver George Russell will win the best time for the sprint.
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