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Welcome to Total-Motorsport.com for live coverage of Sprint Qualifying at the 2026 F1 Dutch GP, as Formula 1 begins its first Sprint weekend at Zandvoort with the grid for Saturday’s 100km race set to be decided. With just one practice session available before competitive action, every team enters Sprint Qualifying with limited preparation. Kimi Antonelli gave Mercedes the perfect start by topping FP1, beating Lando Norris by 0.121 seconds, while teammate George Russell completed the top three. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth for Ferrari, suggesting the Scuderia remain firmly involved in the battle at the front after the summer break. However, home favourite Max Verstappen endured a difficult opening session, finishing outside the top 10 as Red Bull struggled to find the ideal balance around the narrow and technical Zandvoort circuit. F1 2026 Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying LIVE: Latest News and Updates RESULTS: How they finished up in Sprint Qualifying George Russell claimed Sprint pole position at the 2026 Dutch GP after edging Lando Norris by just 0.041 seconds in a thrilling final shootout at Zandvoort. The Mercedes driver delivered when it mattered most, setting a 1:11.567 to secure the top spot for Saturday’s Sprint ahead of the McLaren star. More from the Dutch GP Catch up with Total Motorsport’s latest Dutch GP coverage, including Kimi Antonelli’s FP1 performance at Zandvoort, the full practice times, Max Verstappen’s future comments, Mercedes’ driver relationship concerns, and Lando Norris’ McLaren demands. Below is the full classification from Sprint Qualifying at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. | Pos | Driver | Team | Time/Gap | |---|---|---|---| | 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.567 | | 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.041 | | 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.055 | | 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.099 | | 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.227 | | 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.527 | | 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.624 | | 8 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.011 | | 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | +1.016 | | 10 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +1.170 | | 11 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull | OUT IN SQ2 | | 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | OUT IN SQ2 | | 13 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | OUT IN SQ2 | | 14 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | OUT IN SQ2 | | 15 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | OUT IN SQ2 | | 16 | Alexander Albon | Williams | OUT IN SQ2 | | 17 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | OUT IN SQ1 | | 18 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | OUT IN SQ1 | | 19 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | OUT IN SQ1 | | 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | OUT IN SQ1 | | 21 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | OUT IN SQ1 | | 22 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | OUT IN SQ1 | BREAKING: Russell takes Sprint Pole at Dutch Grand Prix Now engaged to his long-time partner, George Russell is riding the high of life at the moment as the Mercedes man secures Sprint Pole for the Dutch Grand Prix. The 28-year-old delivered a 1:11.567 to pip Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, and enjoys a significant gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli in fifth! Track position is vital at Zandvoort and the Brit now has an excellent chance to claim a small, but perhaps significant, win on Saturday and to pick up momentum for the rest of the weekend. | Pos | Driver | Team | Time/Gap to Fastest | |---|---|---|---| | 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.567 | | 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.041 | | 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.055 | | 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.099 | | 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.227 | | 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.527 | | 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.624 | | 8 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.011 | | 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | +1.016 | | 10 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +1.170 | 3 minutes to go: Here come the laps! We have Lando Norris heading out onto the Zandvoort circuit with the No. 1 on his helmet, can the defending world champion take Sprint Pole for the Dutch GP? Norris secured pole here in 2024 so he knows what it takes to be the quickest man around the sandy dunes in the lowlands of Europe – but so do his rivals… Let’s see what he can do. 5 minutes to go: Teams waiting for their laps With soft tyres now being fitted in Sprint Qualifying at the Dutch Grand Prix we have cars sitting in the pits as they wait for the optimum conditions. Teams may only get one or two laps in, so waiting until the maximum grip is available is often the best approach and allows extra time for drivers to study data. The final laps will be here shortly! GREEN FLAG: Who takes pole in Sprint Qualifying? McLaren completed SQ2 with a 1-2 as Oscar Piastri headed Lando Norris by 0.163, but the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc is very close by to the defending world champions’ duo! With the soft tyres now being fitted to the cars instead of the mediums, could we potentially see a change of the order at Zandvoort in the final part of Sprint Qualifying? Can Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen get into the fight? CHEQUERED FLAG: Who is eliminated in SQ3? Liam Lawson is eliminated from Sprint Qualifying as he misses out on reaching SQ3 for Red Bull to his former Racing Bulls teammate, Arvid Lindblad. Yuki Tsunoda also misses out as his time is only good enough for 12th, but both drivers can be happy with their efforts today after stepping in to new teams on such short notice. Lawson was only four tenths away from Max Verstappen so it was not a bad effort at all! | Pos | Driver | Team | Time | |---|---|---|---| | 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:12.026 | | 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.163 | | 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.164 | | 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.209 | | 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.419 | | 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.485 | | 7 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +0.694 | | 8 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.745 | | 9 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +0.759 | | 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | +0.760 | | 11 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull | +1.110 | | 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | +1.119 | | 13 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1.413 | | 14 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | +1.590 | | 15 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | +1.867 | | 16 | Alexander Albon | Williams | +2.268 | | 17 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | OUT IN SQ1 | | 18 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams | OUT IN SQ1 | | 19 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | OUT IN SQ1 | | 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | OUT IN SQ1 | | 21 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | OUT IN SQ1 | | 22 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | OUT IN SQ1 | 2 minutes to go: Who is at risk of an SQ2 elimination? The top teams are fun to watch but they’re not actually the focus of this SQ2 session as we turn out attention to those who could be eliminated from Sprint Qualifying. So far, Yuki Tsunoda, Arvid Lindblad, Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto have no time on the board but will take a big leap forwards when they deliver a competitve time. Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg have laps on the board, but they’re not good enough at the moment! 5 minutes to go: Here come the laps! The big teams n ow feel it is time to get their laps on the board as McLaren and Ferrari begin picking up the pace in the Netherlands on this Friday. Oscar Piastri leaps to the top of the times with a 1:12.026 to head Charles Leclerc by 0.164 tenths, with Lewis Hamilton slotting into third and 0.419 away on their first runs. Liam Lawson puts in a decent lap compared to Max Verstappen, as he slots in four tenths behind his Red Bull colleague. GREEN FLAG: SQ2 begins in the Netherlands The second part of Sprint Qualifying can get underway at Zandvoort with just 16 cars remaining, including Yuki Tsunoda as the Japanese driver continues to perform well on his first weekend of the year. The cars are swiftly on track to make the most of the time available to them, as the likes of Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto aim to make it into SQ3. There will also be no further action for Max Verstappen for impeding Lewis Hamilton in Turn 5 when the Ferrari was on a fast lap. CHEQUERED FLAG: SQ1 ends in Zandvoort SQ1 concludes with Kimi Antonelli getting out of trouble as the Italian moves his Mercedes away from the elimination zone and punches his ticket to the next stage of Sprint Qualifying. One man who failed get out of trouble, however, was Fernando Alonso as the Aston Martin locked up on his final lap and finds himself last on the grid for Saturday’s Sprint Race. Eliminated in SQ1: Alonso, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman. 2 minutes to go: Hamilton and Verstappen noted for an impeding incident Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been noted by the FIA for an impeding incident, although we have not seen what happened between the pair yet. Hamilton did abandon his final lap but he progressed through into SQ2 anyway. Did Verstappen get in his way? 4 minutes to go: Antonelli under pressure Kimi Antonelli now finds himself under substantial pressure in Q1 as the 19-year-old needs to find a lap to get out of trouble after his early mistake. The Italian is currently last in the order, but with a Mercedes underneath him and time on the clock then he should be okay as long as he keeps it on the road. Nervy moments, though! 7 minutes to go: Antonelli through the gravel! Kimi Antonelli mirrors the mistake made by Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at Turn 13 as he loses control on entry and has to catch a big slide at Zandvoort! He runs into the gravel and complains of losing the rear “weirdly”, but it seems as though there is no damage to the undside of his car and he continues on his way. The Italian has no time on the board at the moment. GREEN FLAG: Sprint Qualifying begins at the Dutch GP The clock is ticking down and cars are heading out onto the Zandvoort circuit as Sprint Qualifying at the Dutch GP gets underway! Will Kimi Antonelli be the fastest man on track or can the likes of Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc deny him? Stay tuned with Total-Motorsport.com! Is rain a factor at Zandvoort in Sprint Qualifying? The prospect of rain could add another layer of uncertainty to Sprint Qualifying at Zandvoort, with unsettled conditions expected around the final Dutch GP weekend. While the latest forecast does not point towards a washout, showers remain possible around the circuit on Friday. That could leave teams keeping a close eye on the weather radar as they prepare for the crucial session. Any rain would have a major impact on the competitive order and add to the spectacle for the gathered fans. Keep an eye out for impeding incidents at Zandvoort Traffic is always a concern at Zandvoort, with the narrow and compact layout leaving drivers with very little room to get out of trouble when cars begin to bunch together. The 4.259km circuit is one of the shortest on the Formula 1 calendar, meaning 22 cars can quickly find themselves fighting for space on the same lap. That becomes particularly important during Sprint Qualifying, when drivers are all searching for a clear track to complete their crucial flying laps. A poorly timed release from the pits or catching a slower car through a fast section can cost valuable lap time, and land grid penalties. Antonelli, Hamilton and Russell resume title battle in Sprint Qualifying The Formula 1 title fight resumes at Zandvoort with three drivers separated by just 59 points, as Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell prepare to begin the second half of the 2026 season. At the top is Antonelli, who heads into Sprint Qualifying with 219 points and a 50-point advantage after securing six victories this season. He has established himself as the man to beat/ But Hamilton remains firmly in contention. The Ferrari driver sits second on 169 points, and a strong run of results after the summer break could quickly put pressure back on Antonelli. Then there is Russell, who sits third on 160 points, just nine points behind Hamilton and 59 points adrift of his Mercedes teammate and remains in the championship picture, particularly given the pace of Mercedes. Which will one of our trio will take Sprint Pole today? Zandvoort bids farewell to Formula 1 The Dutch Grand Prix is entering its final chapter this weekend, with Zandvoort preparing to host its last Formula 1 race for the foreseeable future. After returning to the calendar in 2021 following a 36-year absence, the Dutch GP quickly became one of the most distinctive events on the F1 calendar. The packed grandstands, famous sea of orange and passionate home support for Max Verstappen helped turn the race into one of the sport’s standout events. However, the current agreement only runs through the 2026 season, meaning this weekend’s race will be the final F1 event at Zandvoort under the existing deal. Local authorities have also confirmed that Formula 1 will not return to the circuit after 2026, and the decision comes despite the enormous popularity of the event. How does Sprint Qualifying work? Sprint Qualifying is one of the most important sessions of the weekend, with drivers fighting for pole and the best possible starting place for Saturday’s Sprint. The session follows a similar knockout format to normal Qualifying, but it is significantly shorter and more intense. Here’s how it works: SQ1 – 12 minutes - All 22 drivers take part. - Medium tyres are mandatory. - The six slowest drivers are eliminated. - They fill 17th to 22nd on the Sprint grid. - The remaining 16 drivers progress to SQ2. SQ2 – 10 minutes - The 16 remaining drivers compete for a place in the top 10. - Medium tyres remain mandatory. - The six slowest drivers are eliminated. - They fill 11th to 16th on the Sprint grid. - The top 10 progress to SQ3. SQ3 – 8 minutes - The final 10 drivers battle for Sprint pole. - Soft tyres are mandatory. - Drivers have just eight minutes to set their fastest lap. - The fastest driver takes pole position for the Sprint. - The remaining nine drivers fill second to 10th on the Sprint grid. Welcome to the Blog! A tight field beckons for Sprint Qualifying at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix after Kimi Antonelli topped Free Practice 1 – but only by fine margins to Lando Norris. The defending world champion was just 0.121 behind Antonelli’s 1:12.949 as he slots into second weeks after winning the Hungarian GP. George Russell finished third and 0.125 away, whilst Lewis Hamilton also looks good considering he only did one lap whilst Charles Leclerc has pace but seems to be overdriving his Ferrari. There’s more to come from Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, with Liam Lawson finishes 14th for Red Bull with Yuki Tsunoda in 17th. Keep an eye on how it develops here with Total-Motorsport.com. Antonelli leads Mercedes charge after strong FP1 Antonelli returned from the summer break in the strongest possible fashion, immediately putting Mercedes at the top of the timesheets during the only practice session of the weekend. The championship leader set a 1:12.949 lap to finish just ahead of Norris, continuing the close battle between the two drivers that has developed throughout the 2026 season. The result was particularly encouraging for Mercedes, who entered the second half of the season facing increased pressure from McLaren and Ferrari after rivals closed the performance gap before the shutdown. Zandvoort represents a unique challenge compared to the previous races. The circuit features fast direction changes, banking and limited overtaking opportunities, making qualifying performance even more important than usual. Sprint Qualifying will therefore provide the first real indication of whether Antonelli and Mercedes have retained their advantage or whether rivals were simply managing their programmes during FP1. Russell also enjoyed a positive opening session, finishing third and giving Mercedes both cars near the front. After a challenging period before the break, the team will be hoping that early pace translates into competitive Sprint and Grand Prix results. McLaren look to continue momentum after Hungary victory McLaren arrive at Zandvoort with confidence after Norris secured victory at the Hungarian GP before the summer break. The win marked an important breakthrough for the team in 2026, and FP1 suggested they remain firmly in the fight at the front. Norris finished second, only 0.121 seconds behind Antonelli, while Oscar Piastri ended the session sixth. citeturn0news28 The Sprint format adds another challenge for McLaren. Normally, teams would use Friday practice to compare setups and gather long-run data, but the reduced schedule means decisions must be made much faster. The team’s recent development progress will also be tested at a circuit where confidence is essential. Zandvoort’s sweeping corners require strong aerodynamic balance, particularly through the high-speed sections where drivers commit to long periods of throttle. Norris has emerged as one of the main threats to Antonelli’s championship advantage, and a strong Sprint Qualifying result could provide an opportunity to take points away before Sunday’s Grand Prix. Ferrari remain in contention after promising FP1 Ferrari also began the weekend strongly, with Hamilton and Leclerc both inside the top five during FP1. The result continued the team’s encouraging form from before the summer break, where Leclerc won at Silverstone and Hamilton remained one of Antonelli’s closest championship challengers. The Hungaroring highlighted Ferrari’s race pace, but Zandvoort presents a different challenge. The Dutch circuit rewards aerodynamic efficiency and stability through corners rather than outright straight-line speed. Sprint Qualifying will reveal whether Ferrari can match Mercedes and McLaren over a single lap. For Hamilton, the weekend also represents another opportunity to reduce the championship deficit. The seven-time world champion sits second in the standings but trails Antonelli by 50 points heading into the final stretch of the season. Verstappen faces pressure at final Dutch GP weekend All eyes remain on Verstappen during what is expected to be the final Dutch GP weekend for the foreseeable future. The four-time world champion has dominated the atmosphere at Zandvoort since the race returned to the calendar, but FP1 offered little encouragement as he struggled with balance issues and finished outside the leading group. citeturn0news28 The Sprint format leaves Red Bull with limited time to make changes. With parc ferme conditions coming into effect after Sprint Qualifying, the team must find improvements quickly. The second Red Bull car also has a different look this weekend, with Liam Lawson replacing injured Isack Hadjar. The New Zealander has returned to the senior team for the Dutch GP after making a strong impression earlier in the season with Racing Bulls. citeturn0news29 Sprint Qualifying will therefore be crucial for Verstappen. A poor starting position could make Saturday’s race extremely difficult, given how challenging overtaking can be at Zandvoort. Sprint Qualifying format adds extra pressure Sprint Qualifying at Zandvoort follows the traditional SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3 format, but the shorter weekend structure means teams enter the session with far less information than normal. Tyre preparation will be a major factor. Drivers must balance generating enough temperature for a qualifying lap while avoiding overheating the Soft compound before the final attempt. Traffic could also become a significant issue. Zandvoort is one of the shortest circuits on the calendar, meaning cars can quickly catch slower traffic during preparation laps. Weather may add another variable. Conditions around the Dutch coastline can change quickly, with wind and rain potentially affecting grip levels throughout the session. citeturn0news7 A mistake during Sprint Qualifying could have major consequences because the Sprint grid determines Saturday’s starting order and provides the first opportunity for teams to score points. What to watch in Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying - Whether Antonelli can convert FP1 pace into Sprint pole - Mercedes’ battle with McLaren and Ferrari - Norris’ attempt to continue momentum after Hungary - Piastri’s response after a quieter FP1 - Hamilton and Leclerc’s qualifying pace for Ferrari - Whether Verstappen can recover after a difficult FP1 - Lawson’s first competitive session back with Red Bull Racing - Soft tyre performance over one lap With Antonelli, Norris, Russell, Hamilton and Leclerc all showing strong pace in FP1, while Verstappen searches for improvements at his home circuit, Sprint Qualifying at the 2026 Dutch GP promises a crucial early battle. Stay with Total-Motorsport.com for live lap times, Sprint Qualifying results, eliminations, driver reactions and all the key moments from Zandvoort.