Dutch Grand Prix
McLaren Dominate Dutch GP FP1 as Max Verstappen Suffers Bizarre Post-Session Off
McLaren picked up exactly where they left off before the summer break, dominating Free Practice 1 at Zandvoort for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Lando Norris led the session with a blistering lap of 1:10.2, while teammate Oscar Piastri slotted in just behind, proving the orange cars remain the class of the field as Max Verstappen lost control after a practice start at Turn 1.
The team has already strung together four consecutive 1-2 finishes, a feat not seen since Mercedes’ dominant run in 2019. Now, with Zandvoort’s technical, high-downforce layout playing to McLaren’s strengths, the question is not whether they’ll be fastest—but who between Norris and Piastri will come out on top.
Max Verstappen’s Strange Off Raises Eyebrows
The home fans had little to cheer in FP1. Max Verstappen, chasing a fourth Dutch GP win in five years, could only manage P6 and later stunned the paddock with an uncharacteristic mistake after the chequered flag. The Red Bull star lost control after a practice start at Turn 1, sliding into the gravel in front of a sea of orange-clad supporters.
While the incident caused no major damage, it added to concerns that Red Bull’s latest upgrades aren’t enough to match McLaren’s pace.
McLaren F1 at Dutch GP FP1
Aston Martin Impress, Ferrari and Mercedes Struggle
Behind the McLaren pair, Aston Martin showed strong form, with Lance Stroll taking P3 despite being visibly unhappy with traffic during the session. Fernando Alonso backed that up with P4, signaling the green cars could be podium contenders this weekend.
By contrast, Ferrari and Mercedes have work to do. Charles Leclerc (P14) and Lewis Hamilton (P15) were both over 1.6 seconds off the pace, while George Russell narrowly escaped a gravel trap moment en route to P7. Toto Wolff admitted Mercedes is still fighting front-end grip issues in the W16, even as contract talks with Russell remain “a formality.”
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Pressure Mounts for Rising Stars
The weekend didn’t start smoothly for Kimi Antonelli, with the Mercedes junior ending FP1 in the gravel at Turn 9, while Yuki Tsunoda also spun at Turn 11. Both errors highlighted how tricky Zandvoort’s banked corners and quick changes of direction can be, especially with rain looming over the next sessions.
With rain forecast for FP2 and qualifying, FP1’s dry conditions may prove critical for long-run data. McLaren’s early dominance sets the stage for a fierce intra-team fight between Norris and Piastri, while Verstappen faces the pressure of delivering at home.
The Dutch GP has been won from pole position every year since 2021—meaning Saturday’s qualifying could define Sunday’s race.
