Norris beats Russell to pole position at Zandvoort
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell during a qualifying session marked by the threat of rain. The session saw intense competition and strategic urgency as teams scrambled to complete laps before weather conditions changed.
Why it matters
This event is a significant moment in the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting the impact of weather strategy on high-stakes professional sports.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position in 2024
F1 Correspondent Published 22 August 2026, 16:17 BST Updated 1 minute ago McLaren's Lando Norris beat Mercedes' George Russell to pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix during a frantic scramble to complete laps before a late shower of rain.
Norris pipped Russell by 0.102 seconds as raindrops began to appear on the drivers' visors. They completed their runs earlier than they would normally do because of the weather.
Russell's team-mate Kimi Antonelli was the first to improve on his final lap, briefly rising to the top of the times.
However, he was beaten to first by Norris, who consolidated the first place he had picked up on the first laps in the final session, and then Russell.
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