Dutch GP: Antonelli edges Norris in Zandvoort practice

Kimi Antonelli topped the sole Dutch Grand Prix practice session as Zandvoort hosted Formula 1 for the final time. The Mercedes championship leader posted a 1m12.949s to edge Lando Norris by just over a tenth, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton completing a close top four.

Why it matters:

With only one practice hour before qualifying, teams had minimal time to dial in setups for Zandvoort's farewell race. Antonelli's pace underlines his title credentials, while narrow gaps between Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari suggest another fierce fight up front. The damp-to-dry surface forced crews to adapt quickly, adding pressure to the compressed schedule.

The details:

• The session started damp, sending most drivers out on intermediates before switching to slicks. Oscar Piastri was first to brave mediums, setting an early benchmark before Antonelli unleashed a rapid sequence of laps.
• Grip improved throughout the hour and the lead changed hands repeatedly. Antonelli had a brief scare with a 360-degree spin at Turn 10, telling his team, "I don't know what the heck happened there."
• Soft-tyre runs in the final 10 minutes sharpened the order. Norris briefly headed the times with a 1m13.105s, but Antonelli responded to seize top spot. Russell jumped to third with a late charge, ahead of Hamilton's Ferrari and Charles Leclerc.
• Nico Hulkenberg stood out by putting his Audi seventh on mediums. Red Bull struggled, with Max Verstappen reporting downshift issues on his way to 11th, while stand-in Liam Lawson finished 14th.

What's next:

With no second practice to refine setups, teams must rely entirely on this data for qualifying. The front three squads look closely matched, yet Antonelli's early speed suggests Mercedes remains the team to beat. The real test comes when the grid fights for position at Zandvoort's farewell race.