Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) overtook the two Ferraris on Saturday and took pole position for the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
The reigning world champion set the fastest lap of 1.10.342 minutes, beating Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) by just 0.021 seconds, and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), who was third, by 0.092 seconds.
This was Max Verstappen’s 17th career pole position, his fourth this season.
Leclerc looked set to set the fastest time in the decisive third qualifying stage, but Verstappen, who was close behind, managed to improve his time and dethrone the Monegasque driver from first place.
“It’s unbelievable. It was very tight today, but I love racing here. We changed a lot since Friday and it was fun to drive,” commented the Dutch driver.
Leclerc still started one last attempt before the checkered flag, but a spin made by the Mexican Sérgio Pérez stopped his Red Bull in the middle of the last corner, which forced the sampling of yellow flags in the last sector of the circuit, which made it impossible for more drivers to improve their times.
Pérez finished with only fifth place, behind Britain’s Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who was fourth.
The British Lando Norris (McLaren), who had qualified for Q3, ended up not leaving the pits due to mechanical problems.
The Dutch GP is the 15th race of the season of the 22 scheduled.
Max Verstappen comes into this round with a 93-point advantage over the runner-up, his teammate Sérgio Pérez.
Source: TSF
