Lando Norris secured a thrilling pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen and fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who will start in second and third place, respectively. After the qualifying rounds, the McLaren duo shared with the press that they have the green light to compete against each other on the track.
The qualifying session set the stage for an exciting race day. Q1 was filled with action, made even more challenging by rain, which improved track conditions as it progressed. Lewis Hamilton initially took charge, while George Russell struggled with grip issues.
As the final Q3 session unfolded, Norris shone, logging a remarkable time of 1:10.074, with Piastri not far behind in P3.
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Both drivers expressed their excitement about turning their qualifying performance into a race win.
Norris shared his focus on improving his starts, an area he aims to master:
“I know my starts haven’t been the best, but I’ve been working hard to improve. I feel ready for tomorrow.”
Piastri, meanwhile, has his eye on leading the race, indicating he’s ready to challenge Norris:
“If I can take the lead, I will. The start is a great chance to gain an advantage, and I’m aiming to win this race.”
McLaren’s approach emphasizes competitive spirit alongside respect between drivers, as Piastri noted:
“The rules are clear—we can race for the win. We’re in a Constructor’s Championship fight, and we know we can race each other cleanly.”
Norris echoed this sentiment, confirming their understanding:
“There are no set rules beyond keeping it clean on the track. We’ve raced well together in the past, and that won’t change.”
With both McLaren drivers eyeing the top step of the podium, Sunday’s race is set to be exciting!