Formula 1: Piatri prevails in Zandvoort – Verstappen third party

In the gripping Formula 1 title duel, Oscar Piatri has gained the next advantage in the dunes of Zandvoort thanks to a round of fable. With the tiny of only 0.012 second lead, the World Cup leader secured the first place for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands and once again defeated his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. “I was there at the right moment. I am very happy that it worked,” said the Australian.

McLaren “in a separate league”

The 24-year-old is only nine points in front of the British Norris before the Grand Prix on Sunday (3:00 p.m./Sky). “I’m a little disappointed, but it could have ended differently. But that’s not the end of the world,” said the narrowly beaten Norris, who had previously set the best time in all three training sessions on the North Sea coast. Another McLaren victory should be in the way. “The car really drives in its own league,” said McLaren boss Zak Brown at Sky.

At the top, the duel for first place in the course of qualifying was increasingly narrower. At the beginning of the decisive third k.-o. round, Piatri presented the best time and was very thin in front of Norris. The latter could no longer counter with the last attempt and had to leave the place to his stable rival at the very front, which is particularly valuable in Zandvoort.

The first starting place is particularly important in Zandvoort

In the past four years, the polesetter has always won the subsequent race. In 2024, Norris succeeded, in the three exhibitions before Max Verstappen prevailed. This time the world champion from the Netherlands took third place in his home game.

With 0.263 seconds behind, however, the Red Bull star had no real chance of the first series. “This weekend was difficult for us, which is why I am very happy about the result,” said the 27-year-old, who was supported frenetically by his compatriots in the stands in the stands: “The energy is great. Seeing so much orange is particularly happy to be here.”

Wind spoils Hülkenberg the time hunt

Can he cause a surprise in the race? “Let’s see what we can do,” said the four -time champion and added: “We have to concentrate primarily on our race, the McLaren are very quick.” Verstappen has already written off his fifth title one after the other. It is already 97 points behind Piatri.

The day for the Rhinelander Nico Hülkenberg ended bitterly. The 38-year-old had to park his clean after the first section of the qualification, after 17th place the prospects for World Cup points are bad. “It is very, very tight. They are little things,” said Hülkenberg at Sky. His fast rounds would have felt good: “But the wind made life a little more difficult for us.”