Kimi Antonelli came out on top after the sole free practice session ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, the last race to be held at this venue ahead of its removal from the calendar in 2027. The current championship leader comes to Zandvoort with a commanding 50-point lead in the drivers’ standings. Nevertheless, Antonelli suffered a spin at turn ten and was later impeded by Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg. However, that didn’t stop him from ending the session on top, just over a tenth of a second clear of second-place Lando Norris. The defending champion had a trouble-free run to second, 0.121s off the championship leader.
Behind them, George Russell finished third ahead of the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Having come to Zandvoort as Antonelli’s nearest mathematical challenger for the title, Hamilton will be desperate to secure a good result this weekend.
Oscar Piastri set the sixth fastest time ahead of Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly, Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad. Max Verstappen secured 11th ahead of what he expects to be his final home race, given the fact that Zandvoort will be dropped from the 2027 Formula 1 calendar. Having introduced a whole host of fresh chassis upgrades at the last race in Hungary, Aston Martin have altered the AMR-26’s chassis ahead of this weekend in the Netherlands. Fernando Alonso ended the session 12th ahead of Franco Colapinto.
Red Bull have been responsible for much of the faux silly season gossip ahead of this weekend. Isack Hadjar has injured his wrist and will be unable to contest this weekend’s race. His place has been taken by former Red Bull reject Liam Lawson, who has become the very first driver to return to the senior team after being dropped. He will assume the second Red Bull seat this weekend, while his former seat at RB has been taken by former Red Bull driver and current reserve Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson (whose future is far from certain) ended the session 14th, ahead of the two Haas of Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon and Tsunoda.
Lance Stroll ended the session 18th, ahead of Alex Albon (who has just signed a contract extension with Williams). Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas set the 20th fastest time ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez. Carlos Sainz came into this weekend having signed a long-awaited contract extension with Williams and ended the session last, having suffered a skirmish at Turn 13.
Mercedes appears to have the edge with regard to straight-line speed. However, if McLaren’s initial form is anything to go by, it would appear as though those two will be the ones to beat for the remainder of this weekend in Zandvoort.
