McLaren’s Lando Norris had dominated every practice session at the 2025 Dutch GP, but F1 Qualifying was the true test so far this weekend. In gusty conditions that unsettled cars through the long left-hand Turn 10, the papaya team proved untouchable again, with Oscar Piastri edging Norris to secure pole.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
Q1: McLarens Again, Haas Falters, Stroll Finds the Wall
F1 Qualifying of the 2025 Dutch GP opened with early drama as Lance Stroll brushed the wall at Turn 13, limping the Aston Martin back to the pits before retiring from the session. Lewis Hamilton set the initial benchmark at 1:10.224, but Max Verstappen immediately went quicker with a 1:09.754.
The McLarens soon showed their authority: Norris went fastest with a 1:09.469, with Piastri just 0.158s back. Charles Leclerc found himself on the brink in P14, but salvaged P9 in the dying minutes, while Hamilton also scraped through just ahead in P8. George Russell delivered for Mercedes under pressure with a late surge to P3, only three tenths behind the McLarens.
At the top, Piastri snatched P1 with his final flyer. Kimi Antonelli and Alex Albon impressed by climbing into the top six, but mistakes from both Haas drivers sealed their exits. They were joined by Nico Hülkenberg, Franco Colapinto, and the retired Stroll in elimination.
Q2: McLarens Stay on Top
Ferrari sent both cars out early after a shaky Q1, but their mid-1:10s were nowhere near competitive. Russell briefly topped the times before Verstappen surged ahead with a 1:09.122. Kimi Antonelli impressed again with an early P2, just 0.479s off, with Yuki Tsunoda slotting into P3.
That all changed when the McLarens hit the track. Norris produced a 1:08.874, with Piastri only 0.090s slower. Hamilton and Leclerc climbed safely inside the top five, transforming both Ferrari and Mercedes’ circumstances.
The final push laps brought heartbreak for some. Gasly fell short in his Alpine, Albon and Bortoleto couldn’t improve, and Tsunoda was pushed out at the last moment. Eliminated were Antonelli (P11), Tsunoda (P12), Bortoleto (P13), Gasly (P14), and Albon (P15).
Q3: Piastri Ahead of Norris, Hadjar to P4
The final Top 10 shootout came with intrigue: reports suggested McLaren had even tailored suspension setups to suit each driver’s style. Whether true or not, both were blisteringly fast. Piastri snatched provisional pole by just 0.012s over Norris. Verstappen slotted into third but remained nearly 0.4s down, while Russell, Hamilton, and Leclerc jostled for the next spots. With two minutes left, the Top 10 were separated by fine margins.
Piastri kept pole, Norris lined up alongside him in the front row, and Verstappen settled for third at his home Grand Prix. The surprise of the session came from the Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, who delivered under pressure to grab P4 ahead of Russell and just 0.546s off Piastri’s time. Hamilton and Leclerc filled sixth and seventh, with Alonso, Sainz, and Lawson rounding out the order.
McLaren Still in Control, Verstappen not to be Forgotten
McLaren remains the class of the field, locking out the front row yet again. Piastri’s pole marks another statement moment for the Australian, but Norris is right there with him. Verstappen will be eager to fight back from P3 in front of his home crowd, while Hadjar’s P4 could make him a wild card in the opening laps.
Tomorrow’s 2025 Dutch GP grid promises fireworks, with McLaren on top, Verstappen hunting, and Ferrari still searching for answers. Tune in tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. local time to see how it all shakes out.
Feature Image Credit: EverythingF1
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.