Zandvoort, Netherlands – August 30, 2025: Lando Norris set the pace in the final practice session for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, as McLaren underlined its dominance at Circuit Zandvoort with a commanding one-two finish. Norris posted a stunning lap of 1:08.972, over two tenths clear of team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri, while George Russell delivered an impressive run to third for Mercedes on Medium tyres.

The session began quietly, with limited track activity in the opening 15 minutes. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) initially led with a 1:12.014 on Hard tyres, narrowly ahead of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli on Mediums. Lance Stroll, running a fresh Aston Martin chassis after his FP2 crash, briefly went fastest on Softs before Antonelli and Fernando Alonso traded top spot with mid-1:11s laps.

That changed when Norris emerged at the 20-minute mark. On fresh Soft tyres, the Briton immediately vaulted to the top with a 1:10.262, a time that stood as the benchmark until Piastri responded. The Australian edged ahead with a 1:10.120, underlining McLaren’s advantage.

The track then came alive as drivers prepared for qualifying simulations. Max Verstappen, under pressure at his home race, briefly held P2 on Mediums before being shuffled down the order. The Dutchman eventually settled for fifth, eight tenths off Norris, after a late push on Softs.

The standout moment came with Norris’ final run: purple in all three sectors, he obliterated last year’s pole time by seven tenths, setting 1:08.972 to cement McLaren’s grip on the Dutch GP weekend.

Behind the McLaren duo, George Russell impressed with P3 on Mediums, just 0.886s off the pace. Carlos Sainzdelivered a strong session for Williams with fourth, narrowly ahead of Verstappen. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took sixth, while team-mate Lewis Hamilton could only manage 14th.

Further down the order, Alex Albon continued Williams’ resurgence with seventh, ahead of Stroll, Isack Hadjar(Racing Bulls), and Alonso, who rounded out the top ten. Haas rookie Ollie Bearman also caught attention, briefly running in the top five before finishing 15th on Hard tyres.

With qualifying looming, McLaren head into the afternoon as firm favourites, while Red Bull and Ferrari face a steep challenge to close the gap. Verstappen, in particular, will be desperate to find more speed in front of his home crowd.

2025 Dutch Grand Prix – FP3 Classification

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:08.972
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.242
3. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.886
4. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.941
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.953
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.966
7. Alex Albon (Williams) – +1.127
8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +1.131
9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +1.194
10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +1.260

With track evolution expected to play a key role, qualifying at Zandvoort promises fireworks as McLaren look to convert practice dominance into pole position.