Lando Norris Tops Dutch GP 2025 Practice Sessions

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lando Norris showcased dominant form by setting the fastest times in both practice sessions for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Meanwhile, his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, faces a stewards’ investigation following a pit-lane incident. Based on in-depth analysis, Norris’ pace sets a strong foundation, while Piastri’s mishap and challenges for other teams highlight the session’s key moments. This article recaps the practice results and their implications for qualifying.

Norris’ Commanding Performance

Norris posted a best lap of 1:09.890 in Free Practice 2 (FP2), edging out Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin by 0.087 seconds and Piastri by 0.089 seconds. His blistering pace in FP1 further solidified McLaren’s momentum heading into qualifying. “We’ve got good speed, but there’s still room to improve,” Norris remarked, reflecting the team’s focus on fine-tuning their setup.

FP2 was interrupted twice by red flags due to crashes by Lance Stroll at the banked corner and Alex Albon getting stuck in the gravel at Turn 1. Despite losing 17 minutes, Norris maintained his edge on soft tires, setting the benchmark for the weekend.

Piastri’s Pit-Lane Incident

Piastri, who finished third in FP2, is under scrutiny for a pit-lane incident involving George Russell of Mercedes. Following the second red flag, Piastri mistakenly slowed for the wrong pit box, swerving back into the fast lane and forcing Russell to take evasive action, with possible contact. The stewards will review the incident post-session, which could impact Piastri’s starting position. “It was an honest mistake, but we’ll await the stewards’ decision,” a McLaren representative stated.

Challenges for Rivals

While Norris excelled, Max Verstappen of Red Bull could only manage fifth, 0.588 seconds off the pace. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari struggled in sixth after spins in both FP1 and FP2. Charles Leclerc finished eighth, sandwiched between Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls.

The threat of rain prompted teams to maximize early laps, using a mix of medium and hard tires before switching to softs. Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber and Franco Colapinto of Alpine completed the top ten, while Pierre Gasly was the slowest, 2.232 seconds behind.

Norris’ dominance positions him as a strong contender for pole, but Piastri’s potential penalty could alter McLaren’s strategy in the championship fight. With tight competition at the front, teams like Aston Martin and Mercedes will aim to close the gap. Under Zak Brown’s leadership, McLaren is expected to maintain an aggressive approach to capitalize on their advantage at Verstappen’s home race.

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