Norris fastest in Zandvoort qualifying – Hamilton gets penalty
Lando Norris set the fastest lap in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on Saturday and will start on pole for Sunday’s main race.
The McLaren driver clocked 1.09.673, beating Max Verstappen by 0.356 seconds. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri followed in third.
Verstappen leads the WC overall, but has not won any of the last four races. In Friday practice, he finished behind both the McLaren and Mercedes cars.
On Sunday, he is chasing a fourth straight win on home soil. Norris is behind the Dutchman in the standings, but still well ahead.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who has won two of the last three races, retired in the second lap and is scheduled to start Sunday’s race from twelfth.
But on Saturday night, the International Motor Sport Federation (FIA) issued a statement saying they believed Hamilton had impeded Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez and therefore penalised him three places.
Indeed, the Briton was not the only one punished. Williams’ Alex Albon was disqualified for failing to meet all the requirements the car had to meet, and so Hamilton will start as number 14 on Sunday.
Williams driver Logan Sargeant crashed in the final practice session before Saturday’s qualifying. His car burst into flames after hitting the barriers, and the American driver did not take part in qualifying.
(NTB)
“Infuriatingly humble coffee guru. Travel practitioner. Freelance zombie fanatic. Certified problem solver. Food scholar. Student.”
