Verstappen on pole for the Dutch Grand Prix in wet/dry qualifying

Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix in a dominant fashion in what proved to be a tricky wet/dry qualifying session.

MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES POLE AT ZANDVOORT!!! 🥇

Lando Norris joins the Dutchman on the front row, George Russell will start third 👏#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RTAVjJgkaI

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023

The Dutchman time of 1:10:567 proved untouchable for the entire grid as 2nd-placed Lando Norris was a resounding 0.5 seconds behind the world champion.

However, Norris was more than pleased with his result as the McLaren yet again proved to be a force to be reckoned with.

George Russell in the Mercedes completed the top 3 with a fine lap of its own, ahead of stunning Alex Albon, who put the Williams in P4.

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Alonso finished in P5 ahead of compatriot Carlos Sainz in P6. The Ferrari were disappointing once again as they could only manage sixth with Sainz and ninth with Charles Leclerc.

QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION

Verstappen makes it a hat-trick of poles at his home race 💪

Superb effort from Alex Albon who finishes P4 👏#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ofnrIGv4yJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2023

The big surprise came in Q2, when seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was knocked out and he will start the race from P13.

The race is on Sunday and it all looks set for Verstappen to claim his 9th consecutive victory, which will equal Sebastian Vettel’s record, set in 2013.