For only the second time in McLaren’s history, the team is starting from pole position at Zandvoort. The first instance was on August 25, 1984, with Alain Prost at the helm. Lando Norris repeats this feat on August 24, 2024, almost exactly forty years later. Will he, like Prost, take home the victory?
However, he will have to outpace Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion was three-tenths short of Norris in the qualifiers and will do everything possible to take the lead at the start of his home race. Overtaking is quite challenging on the asphalt ribbon through the dunes, a fact well-known to Verstappen, so any advantage gained before the Tarzan turn is a bonus.
Second Row Showdown
On the second row, we find Oscar Piastri and George Russell. They too smell victory here in Zandvoort, and with both McLaren and Mercedes, it’s entirely possible. Sergio Pérez and Charles Leclerc are right behind them on the third row. The chance of a podium finish isn’t very realistic considering what’s in front of them on the grid (although, you never know in motorsport), so the advice for today is to score as many points as possible.
Implications of Penalties on Race Outcomes
Following are Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, and Carlos Sainz. However, perhaps even more intriguing are the drivers who were penalized by the race management last night. Lewis Hamilton, as a result of this, fell to P14 after an already dismal qualification. This is despite the Mercedes driver being tipped as a pole candidate and potential race winner beforehand. Then there’s Alexander Albon. The Williams driver impressively qualified for P8, but due to disqualification, he will start from the last row. Can these gentlemen still make a difference in the dunes? We will see it all this afternoon from 6:00 AM UST during the Dutch GP in Zandvoort.
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Current Magazine Issue
Now available in stores and for digital order (with free delivery in the Netherlands): our double-thick summer package with regular edition & the Dutch GP Special! Featuring a mid-term report by Tom Coronel, an interview with Max Verstappen, and how King Willem-Alexander secretly learned to race!
