Dutch Grand Prix: Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton in qualifying to a superb starting position

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Max Verstappen on the poles – but it was closer than expected; Lewis Hamilton is 0.038 seconds ahead of title rival Valtteri Bottas in the second row with the brilliant Pierre Gasly. Both drivers Williams crash in Q2, Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel in Q1 by Matt Morledge

Last update: 04/09/21 4:16 pm

George Russell displays a red flag after hitting the hurdles in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix.

George Russell displays a red flag after hitting the hurdles in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen will start the Dutch Grand Prix at home first ahead of Lewis Hamilton after another close-knit battle between his rivals for the Formula 1 title in Saturday’s qualifying.

Delighting the enthusiastic orange-clad cheerleaders in Zandvoort’s first qualifying since 1985, Verstappen was in majesty throughout a shock-affected session – summering lap after lap right in the closing stages of Q3, when his record 1:08,885 seemed to seal a comfortable pole for Reed. Pee.

But Hamilton nearly snatched what would have been an improbable, and perhaps unpopular, fastest time, with his last lap as a Mercedes driver, despite the weekend hiatus, somehow close to Verstappen.

Hamilton and Verstappen, who are only three points apart in the championship, split by just 0.038 seconds at the end of qualifying.

“It feels great,” Verstappen said.

After qualifying interviews with Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at the Dutch Grand Prix.

After qualifying interviews with Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at the Dutch Grand Prix.

“Max did an amazing lap and I was very close,” added Hamilton, to a largely positive reception from the crowd, albeit with a little jeering. “I was trying to catch him.”

Valtteri Bottas, who drove Hamilton before the last lap of the third quarter, finished third by three tenths, and will race in the second row on Sunday with Pierre Gasly – one of the Saturday stars of the AlphaTauri.

Gasly beat out both the fictional Ferrari – Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were fifth and sixth – while Antonio Giovinazzi scored the seventh goal for Alfa Romeo, who was Robert Kubica replacing Kimi Raikkonen.

Dutch Grand Prix qualifying: Top 101) Max Verstappen, Red Bull 2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 3) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 4) Pierre Gasly, Alfa Toure 5) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari 7) Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo 8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine 9) Fernando Alonso, Alpine 10) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

shock exits and breakdowns; The big stories from the playoffs

The surprise absentee from the final penalty shootout was Sergio Perez, with the Red Bull driver one of two surprise exits from the opening Q1 division. Perez qualified only 16th in what appeared to be the fastest car, and he paid the price for not being able to start the last lap as the others improved.

Sebastian Vettel failed to advance to the second quarter after being stopped by Haas Nikita Mazepin.

Sebastian Vettel failed to advance to the second quarter after being stopped by Haas Nikita Mazepin.

Sebastian Vettel also exited qualifying early, being banned by not one car but two Haas cars as Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin sparred over an off-lap position as the four-times Aston Martin champion came on a trip.

Q2 also provided drama, with two Williams cars crashing and causing red flags to appear.

George Russell, who is set to sign for Mercedes, was the first to break barriers when he attacked hard at the end of a lap that would have been in his top 10.

Nicholas Latifi crashes into a red flag in the qualifying and final session at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Nicholas Latifi crashes into a red flag in the qualifying and final session at the Dutch Grand Prix.

On the resumption of the session, Nicholas Latifi had an even bigger crash on the opening lap – causing the hosts to end the second quarter early, sending Lando Norris abruptly out.

Verstappen vs Mercedes prepare to light up Dutch Grand Prix

“He beat the car,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said of Hamilton, insisting Red Bull have a clear speed advantage at the beloved Zandvoort circuit.

But with Perez well out of his position, Mercedes got an unexpected opportunity on Sunday – able to attack Verstappen with two drivers.

Wolff hinted that Hamilton and Bottas would take alternate strategies one and two times to upset Verstappen at the first Dutch Grand Prix in 36 years, while Red Bull’s Christian Horner set his team’s goal to clear Max.

Either way, everything is ready for an exciting race – live on Sky Sports F1 from 2pm – as Verstappen and Hamilton form the front row for the first time since July’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

And we all know what happened in the first session there…

Dutch Grand Prix qualifying schedule Team time 1) Max Verstappen Red Bull 1: 08.885 2) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.038 3) Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +0.337 4) Pierre Gasly Alvatore +0.593 5) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.642 6) Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.652 7) Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo +0.705 8) Esteban Ocon Albine +1.048 9) Fernando Alonso Albine +1.071 10) Daniel Ricciardo McLaren +1.281 outside the second quarter 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 Alpha Tauri 1: 11.314 in the first quarter 16) Sergio Perez Red Bull 1: 10.530 17) Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin 1: 10.731 18) Robert Kubica Alfa Romeo 1: 11.301 19) Mick Schumacher Haas 1: 11.387 20) Nikita Mazbein Haas 1: 11.875.

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