F1: Max Verstappen Takes Pole At Dutch GP Homecoming

Max Verstappen became the first F1 driver since three-time world champion Nelson Piquet Snr to gain pole position at the scenic and challenging track at Zandvoort in the Netherlands. Verstappen, who is the only Dutch driver on the grid, pipped world championship leader Lewis Hamilton to a commanding pole. Hamilton pipped his teammate Valtteri Bottas to P2 who was ahead of the stellar Pierre Gasly in the AlphaTauri.

Verstappen now has a pole in the country of his birth and nationality

The Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr occupy the third row of the grid with a solid P5 and P6, importantly well ahead of the McLaren pair of Norris and Ricciardo. Ricciardo, at least for once, managed to outqualify Norris at P10 rounding of the Q3 contenders. Norris never made it to Q3. 

Also Read: Kimi Raikkonen to miss Dutch GP thanks to COVID19

Antonio Giovinazzi, who is seemingly driving for his F1 future at Alfa Romeo, surprised with an impressive P7 followed by the Alpine pair of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso in P8 and P9 respectively. George Russell who was looking good for a Q3 finish just managed P11 after he crashed into the barriers. Lance Stroll was the fastest Aston Martin managing just P12 but mostly because Vettel's lap was interrupted by Nikita Mazepin which meant he couldn't break free from Q1 and just managed P17.

Ricciardo out-qualified Norris which has been a rarity

Latifi, like Russell, also crashed into the walls which meant he just managed P14 tailing Lando Norris in the McLaren who has disappointed for the first time this year. Yuki Tsunoda in the other AlphaTauri managed P15. Sergio Perez was arguably the biggest shock of the session as he managed just P16. Robert Kubica who was temping for the COVID-19 stricken Kimi Raikkonen managed P18, followed by the Haas pair of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin in P19 and P20. 

Times:

1 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:08.885
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.038s
3 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +0.337s
4 Pierre Gasly AlphaTauri +0.593s
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.642s
6 Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.652s
7 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo Racing +0.705s
8 Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.048s
9 Fernando Alonso Alpine +1.071s
10 Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +1.281s
11 George Russell Williams 1:10.332
12 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:10.367
13 Lando Norris McLaren 1:10.406
14 Nicholas Latifi Williams 1:11.161
15 Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri 1:11.314
16 Sergio Perez Red Bull 1:10.530
17 Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin 1:10.731
18 Robert Kubica Alfa Romeo Racing 1:11.301
19 Mick Schumacher Haas 1:11.387
20 Nikita Mazepin Haas 1:11.875