Verstappen out of contention in Dutch GP as McLaren ruthlessly dominate

Lando Norris has topped the timesheets for the Dutch Grand Prix's FP1 at Circuit Zandvoort, by over three tenths from teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri, with a surprising Lance Stroll taking P3 with Fernando Alonso in P4. Alexander Albon and Max Verstappen rounded off the top 6.

F1's first session back since the summer break saw a few drivers hit snags in the unforgiving Circuit Zandvoort in FP1 for the Dutch Grand Prix.

Slowing down to make his way to the final corner before the straight that leads drivers into the beginning of the third and final sector, Antonelli found himself understeering.

As the car's speed reduced, the Italian couldn't steer his way out of danger, and Zandvoort, known for its unforgiving nature, spared Antonelli nothing. The Italian's car was beached, the red flag came out and the session came to a halt.

Max Verstappen could still give the home crowd a reason to cheer, leading the session for a moment.

However, McLaren drivers did not waste any time to put any sort of wild dreams of Verstappen taking the chequered flags on Sunday in P1, barring any bizarre event taking place of course, to bed.

Quali runs in FP1

Piastri put himself more than a second ahead of his closest pursuer, and Lando Norris improved on his teammate's time by 1.5 seconds. However, the Briton was using new soft tyres, whilst his Aussie teammate was on mediums.

Piastri's second run in the softs saw him make a little mistake coming out of Turn 4, which, regardless, put him 3 tenths behind his championship rival.

Aston Martin's pace seemed to confirm their good form from Hungary with a P3 by Fernando Alonso, with Alexander Albon, George Russell, Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson rounding off the top 10.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in P13 and P14 led Max Verstappen in P15. Yuki Tsunoda closed the last of the remaining cars in P19 with Andrea Kimi Antonelli out of the session in P20.

Verstappen donned on the red-banded tyres and shot up to P5, being unable to pip Alonso's and Albon's efforts.

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