2026 Dutch GP: Russell takes sprint pole at Zandvoort

George Russell took Dutch GP Sprint pole by 0.041s from Lando Norris, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli led Friday practice and stayed top of the standings.

George Russell took Sprint pole for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, with Formula1.com, BBC Sport, Autosport and Motorsport.com all reporting that the Mercedes driver beat Lando Norris by 0.041s. BBC Sport reported Charles Leclerc qualified third, while Formula1.com, Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans all placed Andrea Kimi Antonelli fifth after an SQ1 gravel trip. Motorsport.com reported Antonelli said the off cost him about 25 points of downforce.

Earlier on Friday, BBC Sport reported Antonelli led Norris in the sole practice session. Autosport and Motorsport.com listed the Mercedes driver’s best lap at 1m12.949s and reported he was the only driver under 1m13s. Antonelli arrived at Zandvoort leading the drivers' championship on 219 points, ahead of Lewis Hamilton on 169 and Russell on 160, while Norris was fifth on 128.

Formula1.com reported Max Verstappen qualified sixth for the Sprint after a difficult session for Red Bull, and the same outlet said Liam Lawson would start 11th after being called up ahead of the weekend. Verstappen came into the event sixth in the standings on 109 points.