NEWS
"I'm Surprised!" Norris Thrilled with Pole After New Setup
For the Briton, a setup change proves to be a masterstroke. The "Silver Arrows" had expected a pole, but were beaten.
The McLaren driver is back in top form!
Lando Norris had to cope with several setbacks in the first half of the season. But before the summer break, the McLaren driver was able to celebrate his first win of the season in Hungary. Now he followed up with pole in the Netherlands.
However, the pole position ultimately comes as somewhat of a surprise to him.
Norris after Pole: "It doesn't get much better"
Just a few hours earlier, at George Russell's sprint victory, the Briton had to contend with increasing problems with his balance and settled for third place.
Between the sprint and qualifying, McLaren decided on a few setup changes that ultimately brought success.
"It doesn't get much better than this. I'm honestly a bit surprised," said the 26-year-old in an interview after qualifying.
He also benefited from McLaren's strength in the rather fast to medium-fast corners that characterize the Zandvoort GP. "We made a few small changes and it paid off," the Briton added.
Antonelli after P3: "I could have taken pole"
For the "Silver Arrows", things probably didn't go entirely as desired, but both Mercedes drivers are, of course, lurking close behind Norris for victory in the main race.
It hasn't been an easy weekend for Antonelli in particular so far. First, he slid into the gravel trap in sprint qualifying on Friday. Ultimately, he only finished fourth in the sprint.
Now he made it to third place in qualifying behind Norris and Russell. "It was difficult for me. I left a few tenths out there. It's a shame because I could have taken pole," explained the Mercedes youngster and championship leader.
Russell, on the other hand, seemed more satisfied after his sprint victory and second place in qualifying. "I feel good and I'm completely myself again," the Briton stated after what has been a rather difficult season so far.
Whether the "Silver Arrows" can strike back against Norris on race Sunday will be seen in the main race in the Netherlands (from 3:00 PM in the LIVE ticker <<<).
