Zandvoort, Netherlands – August 29, 2025: Formula 1 roared back into action after the summer break with McLaren sending out a strong statement in the opening practice session for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Title contender Lando Norris topped FP1 at Zandvoort with a blistering lap of 1:10.278s, outpacing team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri by nearly three-tenths of a second.

The session began in cool, blustery conditions with Piastri setting the early benchmark ahead of home hero Max Verstappen, who looked strong in front of his Dutch fans. The reigning three-time Zandvoort winner briefly hit the top with a 1:12.101 before red flags interrupted proceedings. First, Yuki Tsunoda spun at Turn 11, and moments later Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli locked up into Turn 9, beaching his car in the gravel.

When action resumed, George Russell moved into contention with a strong lap, but yellow flags were waved again as Carlos Sainz spun his Williams in similar fashion to Tsunoda. Verstappen improved to 1:11.986, but the McLaren duo soon reasserted control. Piastri jumped to P1 with a 1:11.794, only for Norris to respond in style, finding more grip on Pirelli’s Soft compound to clock a dominant 1:10.278.

Norris, fresh from victory in Hungary before the break, carried that momentum into Zandvoort, with Piastri securing P2 after narrowing the gap to 0.292s with a late flyer.

Aston Martin Double Threat

Aston Martin also impressed, with Lance Stroll pulling off a surprise lap late in the session to claim third place (1:10.779), edging out team-mate Fernando Alonso by just six hundredths of a second.

Mixed Session for Verstappen

Local favourite Max Verstappen could only manage P6, nearly a full second behind Norris. His session ended on a frustrating note after an off-track excursion at Turn 1 while rejoining the track from a practice start.

Strong Showing for Williams and Sauber Rookie

Alex Albon delivered another solid performance for Williams, finishing P5, while team-mate Carlos Sainz placed eighth. Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto impressed with a top-10 finish in P9, just ahead of Pierre Gasly’s Alpine.

Dutch GP FP1 Classification (Top 10)

1. Lando Norris – McLaren/Mercedes – 1:10.278
2. Oscar Piastri – McLaren/Mercedes – 1:10.570 (+0.292)
3. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin/Mercedes – 1:10.779 (+0.501)
4. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin/Mercedes – 1:10.841 (+0.563)
5. Alex Albon – Williams/Mercedes – 1:11.171 (+0.893)
6. Max Verstappen – Red Bull/Honda RBPT – 1:11.218 (+0.940)
7. George Russell – Mercedes – 1:11.386 (+1.108)
8. Carlos Sainz – Williams/Mercedes – 1:11.458 (+1.180)
9. Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber/Ferrari – 1:11.509 (+1.231)
10. Pierre Gasly – Alpine/Renault – 1:11.613 (+1.335)

With Norris setting the early pace, McLaren appear poised to challenge strongly across the Dutch GP weekend. The battle for supremacy resumes in Free Practice 2, where Verstappen will look to hit back on home soil and Ferrari aim to recover from a subdued FP1.