Norris ends Verstappen's 100% Zandvoort pole record
Netherlands, - McLaren's Lando Norris took pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix by a hefty margin yesterday and ended home hero Max Verstappen's 100% qualifying record at the Formula One championship leader's home circuit.
Red Bull's Verstappen, yet to be beaten at Zandvoort since the race returned in 2021,will still line up alongside the Briton on the front row.
Australian Oscar Piastri qualified in third place for McLaren and George Russell completed the second row for Mercedes, winners of three of the last four races.
"I felt comfortable out there. The car felt amazing. We had some upgrades and everything is working very well," said Norris after lapping the seaside circuit with a best time of one minute 09.673 seconds.
"I'm excited for tomorrow. I'm sure it will be tough. Max has been quick all weekend. I know we got him today but he's still second and will put up a good fight, especially at his home race."
Verstappen, who could suffer a fifth defeat in a row, took provisional pole from Norris with his second flying lap but the roar of the crowd soon subsided as the McLaren went 0.356 quicker.
"I tried the best I could. I'm still happy to be on the front row," said Verstappen, who has a 78-point lead over Norris after 14 of 24 races.
"It was tricky out there with the wind. We had these gusts of wind, so every lap felt different, so you can't really go off a reference. I'm happy with second. After yesterday, this is a good result."
Verstappen had been only seventh fastest in the first phase and eighth in the second but, never to be counted out, he saved the best for last on an overcast afternoon. "We will give it a good go but when you are more than three tenths behind in qualifying, I think you have to be realistic. I will just try to have a good race," he said.
Norris has won only once in his career so far, in Miami in May, and failed to convert previous poles in Spain and Hungary this season into victory.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez qualified fifth with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sixth and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso seventh.
Alex Albon will line up eighth for Williams with Lance Stroll ninth for Aston Martin and Alpine's Pierre Gasly completing the top 10 on the grid.