By Mark Gero
Oscar Piastri might have watched his McLaren teammate Lando Norris take all the sessions leading up to qualifying for Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix, but when it came down to Saturday qualifying, the Australian got what he needed by posting a 1:08:662 to take his sixth pole of the season.
Right at the last moment on his home circuit, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen found his form and took third.
Only in his rookie season, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar clocked his best qualifying time of this year and took fourth at the very last minute, just ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell. The Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were next in sixth and seventh, with the second Racing Bull of Laim Lawson eighth. The Williams of Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten qualifiers.
Piastri grabbed his pole ahead of his Briton rival midway through the final session, which gives him a chance to increase his nine-point championship lead on race day.
“That’s the definition of peaking at the right time.” Stated Piastri. “There have just been a couple of corners where I have not been able to go faster, I still didn’t do that but I found some time in other places.”
Norris expects Sunday to be close, given both are very much even on race pace, it does not seem to bother him.
“It’s close.” He commented. “It’s been close the whole weekend so easily could go one way or the other. A little bit disappointing to not be on pole but not the end of the world either.”
For Verstappen, who is at home with his race fans, and winner of the last three races at this venue, was pleased despite being on the second row.
“The whole weekend has been difficult and in qualifying it came together a bit more. That was very positive.” Commented Verstappen.
The final change that we made to the car definitely brought it in a nicer operating window and I could push a bit more. For us to be P3 is a great achievement.”
No red flags for this day, but early in the opening session, the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll struck the grass and spun into the barriers at turn 13 and brought his damaged car back into the garage. But try as his mechanics could, they could not get his car repaired in time and Stroll will start the race from last place.
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