Welcome to our Dutch GP Sprint Race Live Blog!
Formula 1 is back from the summer break, and the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is already delivering plenty of talking points.
Kimi Antonelli started Friday fastest in FP1, leading Lando Norris and George Russell by less than two tenths. Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari all looked closely matched. However, Max Verstappen struggled for pace in 11th at his final home Grand Prix.
Sprint Qualifying then brought a change at the front. Russell claimed Sprint pole ahead of Norris and Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri qualified fourth. Antonelli’s session was compromised after he ran through the gravel in SQ1 and damaged the floor of his Mercedes, leaving him fifth.
The session also saw Max Verstappen qualify sixth at his home race. With Verstappen yet to win in 2026, the pressure will be on the home favourite. Especially with this being the final Dutch GP currently on the calendar, he is looking to deliver in front of the Orange Army.
Further down the field, Lewis Hamilton could only manage seventh for Ferrari. Pierre Gasly continued Alpine’s encouraging Friday in eighth.
With eight points available for the winner and the championship contenders starting in a mixed order, it’s setting up to be an exciting race. Can Russell convert pole into a much-needed victory, or will Norris, Leclerc and Antonelli fight back?
Join us for live coverage of the 2026 Dutch GP Sprint.