Lando Norris continued his strong form by setting the fastest lap in final practice for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix. The McLaren driver delivered an outstanding 1:08.972 around Zandvoort, leaving his teammate Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell behind. With such a commanding performance, Norris set the tone for what promises to be an exciting qualifying session.
McLaren Shine in Dutch Grand Prix Practice
The Dutch Grand Prix weekend has already shown McLaren’s strength. Oscar Piastri, who leads the championship, backed up Norris with second place, just 0.242 seconds off. Together, the duo highlighted McLaren’s pace advantage on soft tyres, raising expectations for a front-row battle in qualifying.
George Russell impressed with third, despite running on medium tyres. His lap of 1:09.858 demonstrated Mercedes’ growing competitiveness. Williams also surprised, with Carlos Sainz grabbing fourth place, narrowly ahead of Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.
Norris Sets the Standard with Blistering Lap
Norris’ 1:08.972 wasn’t just fast, it was seven tenths quicker than last year’s pole time. The McLaren driver went purple in all three sectors, proving both car and driver are in sync. Piastri briefly claimed the top spot earlier in the session, but Norris struck back with a lap that underlined his confidence and momentum.
Max Verstappen, cheered on by his home fans, managed fifth place, but over nine tenths behind Norris. It’s clear the reigning champion faces a tougher fight than usual, especially with McLaren looking dominant.
Key Contenders Show Mixed Results
Charles Leclerc put Ferrari in sixth, ahead of Alex Albon, who added to Williams’ strong session with seventh. Lance Stroll returned with a rebuilt chassis after his FP2 crash and secured eighth for Aston Martin. Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar continued to impress with ninth, edging out Fernando Alonso in tenth.
Further down, Lewis Hamilton could only manage 14th in the second Ferrari, while rookie Ollie Bearman showed promise in 15th on hard tyres. Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli ended 17th after logging the most laps of the session.
What to Expect in Qualifying
McLaren’s pace advantage puts them in pole position for qualifying. Norris looks determined to carry his speed into the next session, but Piastri will be equally motivated to protect his championship lead. With Mercedes and Williams both showing strength, the battle for the top five could be closer than ever. Meanwhile, Verstappen faces the challenge of delivering for his home crowd after a subdued practice.
Summary
Lando Norris sent a strong message with his fastest time in Dutch Grand Prix FP3. McLaren head into qualifying with momentum, while rivals scramble to close the gap. Zandvoort is ready for fireworks, and Norris has already lit the fuse.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 4 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 7 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 8 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 11 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 14 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 15 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 16 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 17 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 18 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 19 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
Disclaimer: Session results and timings are subject to official FIA confirmation.
Source: Fia
