Given that the tens of thousands of fans in attendance at the Zandvoort circuit likely pay their ticket money in the hopes of watching Max Verstappen be victorious, they’ve certainly had their money’s worth since the venue returned to the F1 calendar.
Across the two qualifying and two race sessions held at the track over the first two years of the modern Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen has placed first every single time. On Saturday in 2023, the world champion kept his spotless record in competitive sessions at Zandvoort intact – and looks set to send his adoring fans home very happy after Sunday’s grand prix.Given that so many of Red Bull’s rivals were quick to point out how the runaway championship leaders are far more beatable in qualifying than they are on Sundays, Verstappen’s pole margin of over half a second was far wider than most would have predicted heading into the second day of the weekend. McLaren had looked strong on Friday with Lando Norris setting the pace with the quickest lap of the day, two-hundredths quicker than Verstappen. And while no one at McLaren was entertaining the idea of potentially fighting for victory just yet, being in with a shout for pole position seemed a much more achievable goal.
When it all came down to a last-lap shoot-out at the end of Q3 on a drying track, Norris was a comfortable second faster than any other driver – except for Verstappen. Despite an error at Tarzan which left Verstappen almost two tenths behind Norris by the time the pair exited turn three, the Red Bull driver’s superior speed through the corners and along the straights allowed him to blitz the McLaren by over half a second by the time they reached the end of the lap.
“My first half a lap was very good, my second half was pretty terrible,” Norris admitted after qualifying.
“I had a double-shift out of turn 10, which probably cost me a couple of tenths. But at the same time, nothing would have got me enough to get past Max. He did a good job. These conditions, you hope something might come your way and it didn’t today, but P2 was a good result for us.”
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As Zandvoort is such a narrow circuit with so many corners crammed into its relatively short length, overtaking opportunities are not as easy to come by compared to those that will be found next week in Monza. So with his third consecutive home pole position secured, Verstappen has already seen off what is likely the biggest threat to victory that he will face – especially with the relentless race pace of the Red Bull.
Friday’s second practice session saw teams logging an unusually high level of high fuel laps to prepare for the race. Unsurprisingly, Verstappen maintained the quickest pace over those long runs with an average lap time of 1’26.159, which was almost half a second a lap faster than any of his nearest rivals, including Norris. But while Verstappen and Norris completed runs on the soft tyres – with Norris also fitting the hard tyres later in the session – the Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ran on mediums, with both matching Norris’s pace on the softs; around a 1’26.5.
Perhaps more intriguingly, the Mercedes were also able to match Sergio Perez’s performance on the same compound, with Hamilton slightly ahead of the second Red Bull driver through their stints. Frustratingly for Mercedes, Hamilton is almost certain not to factor in the fight at the front after qualifying down in 13th place on the grid, but Russell will be directly behind Norris in third – and Russell intends to get ahead of the McLaren on Sunday.
“To end up P3 in those conditions, I was very happy,” he said. “But we know we have a faster car on Sunday so starting third is a great spot.
“I don’t think we’ll have the pace to fight with Max. As Lando said, he’s a bit of a league of his own at the moment, but I’m confident Lando and I can have a good fight.”
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The order behind Red Bull has varied regularly in 2023, but for the first time this season Williams appear to look genuinely stronger than the likes of Aston Martin and even Ferrari. Alexander Albon will start fourth on the grid – the team’s highest starting position since George Russell lined up third for the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. Albon has been the best defensive driver on the grid since returning to the sport last season, but even he does not see himself emulating his famous drive to seventh in the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.
“We are not top of the speed traps – we haven’t been at all this weekend,” Albon accepted. “We’ve actually been very, very mid-field. We can’t ‘do a Canada’ – we have to be quick on pure pace, or else we will get overtaken.”
After a wet day of running on Saturday, drivers should be in for a dry race tomorrow – even if the risk of rain has not fully evaporated. With overcast skies, Sunday’s race should also be cooler than the two previous encounters at the revised Zandvoort.
Pirelli claim that “several options” are available for strategy in the race. But with the lack of clear overtaking opportunities outside of the DRS zone along the pit straight heading into Tarzan, track position is especially critical. That will encourage many to lean towards one-stop strategies, likely starting on the mediums before switching to the hard tyres, but for those like Hamilton who will be looking to make their way through the field with what should be a faster race car than those around them, being more aggressive might be a viable option.
As already seen this weekend, Zandvoort can be a punishing circuit for drivers who make mistakes. With grass and gravel traps waiting to catch out drivers who fall even the slightest bit wide over the 14 corners, little room to go side-by-side and not a lot of space to pull off if you have a problem, there’s a high chance of a Safety Car being triggered suddenly at any time during the race, which could have a considerable impact on tomorrow’s race, just as happened last season.
But while it’s likely to be a frantic Dutch Grand Prix with the field seemingly so close once again, Norris is fairly confident that he knows how the fight for the victory will pan out.
“I’ll challenge him probably two laps, then he’ll drive away,” he said.
“I’m not going to say no, like I’m not going to give it a try, but Max is always on another level when it comes to Sunday, in tyre degradation and race pace. So, there’s opportunities, but it’s going to be tough.”
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Qualifying times in full
| Position | Number | Driver | Team | Q1 time | Q2 time (vs Q1) | Q3 time (vs Q2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’20.965 | 1’18.856 (-2.109s) | 1’10.567 (-8.289s) |
| 2 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’21.276 | 1’19.769 (-1.507s) | 1’11.104 (-8.665s) |
| 3 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1’21.345 | 1’19.620 (-1.725s) | 1’11.294 (-8.326s) |
| 4 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | 1’20.939 | 1’19.399 (-1.540s) | 1’11.419 (-7.980s) |
| 5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’21.840 | 1’19.429 (-2.411s) | 1’11.506 (-7.923s) |
| 6 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | 1’21.321 | 1’19.929 (-1.392s) | 1’11.754 (-8.175s) |
| 7 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’21.972 | 1’19.856 (-2.116s) | 1’11.880 (-7.976s) |
| 8 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’21.231 | 1’19.392 (-1.839s) | 1’11.938 (-7.454s) |
| 9 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’22.019 | 1’19.600 (-2.419s) | 1’12.665 (-6.935s) |
| 10 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams-Mercedes | 1’22.036 | 1’20.067 (-1.969s) | 1’16.748 (-3.319s) |
| 11 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’21.570 | 1’20.121 (-1.449s) | Missed by 0.054s |
| 12 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | 1’21.735 | 1’20.128 (-1.607s) | Missed by 0.061s |
| 13 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1’21.919 | 1’20.151 (-1.768s) | Missed by 0.084s |
| 14 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | 1’21.781 | 1’20.230 (-1.551s) | Missed by 0.163s |
| 15 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas-Ferrari | 1’21.891 | 1’20.250 (-1.641s) | Missed by 0.183s |
| 16 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 1’22.067 | Missed by 0.031s | |
| 17 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine-Renault | 1’22.110 | Missed by 0.074s | |
| 18 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas-Ferrari | 1’22.192 | Missed by 0.156s | |
| 19 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo-Ferrari | 1’22.260 | Missed by 0.224s | |
| 20 | 40 | Liam Lawson | AlphaTauri-Honda RBPT | 1’23.420 | Missed by 1.384s |
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Sector times
| Position | Number | Driver | Sector one | Sector two | Sector three | Ultimate lap | Deficit to ultimate lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Max Verstappen | 24.324 (2) | 24.504 (1) | 21.739 (1) | 1’10.567 | – |
| 2 | 4 | Lando Norris | 24.287 (1) | 24.818 (3) | 21.943 (3) | 1’11.048 | 0.056 |
| 3 | 63 | George Russell | 24.649 (5) | 24.625 (2) | 22.02 (6) | 1’11.294 | – |
| 4 | 23 | Alexander Albon | 24.449 (3) | 25.014 (6) | 21.956 (4) | 1’11.419 | – |
| 5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | 24.63 (4) | 24.994 (4) | 21.882 (2) | 1’11.506 | – |
| 6 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | 24.693 (7) | 25.035 (7) | 22.026 (7) | 1’11.754 | – |
| 7 | 11 | Sergio Perez | 24.895 (8) | 24.996 (5) | 21.989 (5) | 1’11.880 | – |
| 8 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | 24.657 (6) | 25.047 (8) | 22.179 (8) | 1’11.883 | 0.055 |
| 9 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | 24.999 (9) | 25.086 (9) | 22.393 (9) | 1’12.478 | 0.187 |
| 10 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | 27.083 (10) | 26.472 (10) | 23.193 (10) | 1’16.748 | – |
| 11 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | 27.764 (14) | 27.244 (11) | 25.006 (13) | 1’20.014 | 0.216 |
| 12 | 18 | Lance Stroll | 27.743 (13) | 27.406 (13) | 24.957 (12) | 1’20.106 | 0.015 |
| 13 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | 27.411 (11) | 27.586 (15) | 25.123 (14) | 1’20.120 | 0.008 |
| 14 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | 27.416 (12) | 27.366 (12) | 25.369 (15) | 1’20.151 | – |
| 15 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | 28.046 (15) | 27.465 (14) | 24.739 (11) | 1’20.250 | – |
| 16 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | 28.282 (17) | 27.591 (16) | 25.807 (19) | 1’21.680 | 0.387 |
| 17 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | 28.265 (16) | 28.164 (18) | 25.667 (17) | 1’22.096 | 0.014 |
| 18 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | 28.484 (18) | 28.206 (19) | 25.464 (16) | 1’22.154 | 0.038 |
| 19 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | 28.629 (20) | 27.829 (17) | 25.752 (18) | 1’22.210 | 0.050 |
| 20 | 40 | Liam Lawson | 28.601 (19) | 28.57 (20) | 26.015 (20) | 1’23.186 | 0.234 |
Speed trap
| Position | Number | Driver | Car | Engine | Model | Max kph (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Ferrari | SF-23 | 328.6 (204.2) |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda RBPT | RB19 | 327.0 (203.2) |
| 3 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Ferrari | Ferrari | SF-23 | 326.7 (203.0) |
| 4 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | Honda RBPT | RB19 | 326.1 (202.6) |
| 5 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | Mercedes | FW45 | 322.3 (200.3) |
| 6 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | Mercedes | AMR23 | 322.2 (200.2) |
| 7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | Mercedes | FW45 | 321.7 (199.9) |
| 8 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | Mercedes | MCL60 | 320.6 (199.2) |
| 9 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | Mercedes | MCL60 | 319.7 (198.7) |
| 10 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | Mercedes | W14 | 318.3 (197.8) |
| 11 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | Renault | A523 | 299.4 (186.0) |
| 12 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | Mercedes | AMR23 | 298.4 (185.4) |
| 13 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | Honda RBPT | AT04 | 298.1 (185.2) |
| 14 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | C43 | 296.0 (183.9) |
| 15 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes | W14 | 295.2 (183.4) |
| 16 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | Ferrari | VF-23 | 292.5 (181.8) |
| 17 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | Ferrari | VF-23 | 291.1 (180.9) |
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | Renault | A523 | 286.9 (178.3) |
| 19 | 40 | Liam Lawson | AlphaTauri | Honda RBPT | AT04 | 285.7 (177.5) |
| 20 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | C43 | 282.5 (175.5) |
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Over to you
Is there any realistic scenario in which Verstappen will not score a third consecutive win at home? And who will come out on top in the much less predictable fight for second place?
Share your views on the Dutch Grand Prix in the comments.
2023 Dutch Grand Prix
- Azerbaijan GP defeat was key to record-equalling run of wins – Verstappen
- “Too early to say” if podium signals return to form for Aston Martin – Alonso
- Verstappen makes history with unbeaten hat-track in first home races
- Perez is ‘doing his job and will be our driver in 2024’, Horner insists
- Ferrari had the “sixth or seventh fastest car” at Zandvoort – Sainz
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
27th August 2023, 3:52
I’m possibly (probably) misreading things, or am otherwise confused with regard to what I previously understood about the Williams, but I am rather surprised that Albon is lower down in the ‘Speed Trap’ times than he is in qualification position.
Jere (@jerejj)
27th August 2023, 5:12
Setup choice
S
27th August 2023, 8:45
The straights aren’t long enough for Williams top-speed ‘advantage’ to become evident at this track.
As a result of the track having so many low speed corners, high downforce isn’t such a massive benefit either. Slower corners put more focus on mechanical grip rather than aero grip, of course….
Clearly, the car is good (here, at least) with driveability and traction off slow corners, and not terrible in the mid-corner either.
Jere (@jerejj)
27th August 2023, 5:11
Is there any realistic scenario in which Verstappen will not score a third consecutive win at home?
– No unless he suffers a DNF, DNS, puncture, performance-affecting damage, or as an extreme, something in the car causes a DSQ.
And who will come out on top in the much less predictable fight for second place?
– Checo, Lando, or George.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
27th August 2023, 11:08
Puncture would be most interesting for verstappen, so we’d see how far he can get with a healthy car and a massive gap behind, a bit like what happened in monza 2020 with hamilton’s stop and go.
Mayrton
27th August 2023, 10:34
Good to hear Wolff being surprised over the gap between Max and Checo (naming the latter a good driver) and acknowledge the extraordinary performance being displayed by a remarkable talent.
tielemst
27th August 2023, 10:53
Weather could be an important factor. Around race start and finish there could be some pretty heavy showers.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
27th August 2023, 11:12
Would be nice if that rain came true, there’s been quite some rain in competitive sessions lately but not really in the main races, apart from monaco.
MichaelN
27th August 2023, 10:57
Is there any realistic scenario in which Verstappen will not score a third consecutive win at home?
Yes, for Norris to get a good start and race Verstappen as though it’s his only chance of a win this year. Channel that inner Senna.
David West
27th August 2023, 11:10
How is the Red Bull quicker in the corners and the straights? How is Perez so poor?
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
27th August 2023, 11:13
That’s generally what happens when you have a dominant car, pretty sure mercedes was like that too at least in 2014-2016, and perez is really really bad in changing conditions, he’s often 1-2 sec off verstappen when there’s some rain or a drying track.
David West
27th August 2023, 11:31
I’ve never known a car that can defy the laws of physics.
Verstappen was half a second quicker despite making two mistakes, Perez is just awful, the last session was pretty much dry as well.
S
27th August 2023, 11:14
Verstappen’s Red Bull is quicker because it’s Verstappen’s Red Bull being driven by Verstappen.
Perez’s Red Bull is slower because it’s Verstappen’s Red Bull being driven by Perez. Perez isn’t poor, he’s just not comfortable in the car – it’s designed to exploit someone else’s driving style and not his.
David West
27th August 2023, 11:13
Weather forecasts are crazy, I’ve seen 90% chance of rain on one and 20% on another.
tielemst
27th August 2023, 11:39
It’s really on and off today. We’ve been running inside, go out in the sun and hurry back inside for a thunderstorm in the space of 20 minutes.