Dutch GP's 'demolition derby': Zandvoort's brutal Friday practice sets stage for weekend | WATCH
Zandvoort: The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix’s Friday practice at Zandvoort proved just how unforgiving the circuit can be, with both FP1 and FP2 sessions filled with drama, spins, and interruptions. In FP1, chaos began almost immediately when Kimi Antonelli beached his Mercedes in the gravel trap, leading to a red flag just fifteen minutes in. Lewis Hamilton experienced a spin exiting Turn 9 after grazing the grass, flat-spotting his tires but avoiding serious contact. Williams driver Alex Albon also found himself in the gravel at Turn 1, and Yuki Tsunoda, along with several midfield runners, battled unstable car balance and gusty winds. Despite these challenges, McLaren’s Lando Norris led the session, clocking a 1:10.278 and finishing well ahead of Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari struggled to find grip throughout the session.
FP2 escalated the action with even more dramatic incidents. Lance Stroll crashed heavily at Turn 3, destroying his Aston Martin and necessitating a crane recovery, although he was unharmed. As the session resumed, Isack Hadjar’s Racing Bulls suffered engine trouble and stopped at Turn 9, prompting a Virtual Safety Car. Alex Albon crashed at Turn 1, locking up into the barrier and getting stuck attempting to reverse, which led to a near-miss in the pit lane between Oscar Piastri and George Russell as Piastri darted into his pit box.
Lewis Hamilton spun again at Turn 9 and continued to report handling issues in his Ferrari. Yuki Tsunoda had further off-track excursions, as did others, highlighting how the circuit and conditions tested car setup and driver concentration. Lando Norris once again finished fastest, posting a 1:09.890, though the session’s frequent interruptions left many teams scrambling to complete their planned qualifying runs.
These incidents left several teams reeling, especially Ferrari. Charles Leclerc described the day as the team’s worst Friday of the season, admitting only a “miracle” could salvage their weekend. McLaren, meanwhile, capitalised on their momentum, with Norris and Piastri atop both drivers’ and constructors’ championship tables. The persistent weather challenges and technical issues ensured red and yellow flags remained a constant threat throughout both sessions.
When qualifying arrived, McLaren’s dominance continued as Lando Norris claimed pole position with a lap of 1:09.890, only 0.087 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso in Aston Martin and 0.089 seconds ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. George Russell of Mercedes and Max Verstappen of Red Bull completed the top five, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton taking sixth position after his eventful Friday. The results reinforced McLaren’s charge for the championship, while Ferrari faced renewed pressure and had to regroup after their difficult start to the weekend.
Looking ahead to today’s schedule at Zandvoort, fans can anticipate a packed program:
- FP3 (Free Practice 3): 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm IST
- Qualifying: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm IST