What the teams said – Sprint day in the Netherlands

McLaren’s Lando Norris described a mixed Saturday at Zandvoort, where his car lost rear grip during the Sprint but gained pace in Qualifying after setup changes. Norris took pole position, citing improved confidence and a strong final lap, though he acknowledged slower race pace in slow corners. He expects a tougher challenge from rivals on Sunday despite starting from the front row. Norris also noted the importance of clean air and preparation following the Sprint’s tyre struggles.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc highlighted progress after a difficult start to the weekend, with the team making targeted adjustments between the Sprint and Qualifying. The changes aimed to improve low-speed corner grip and reduce rear-axle load, which helped Leclerc secure third on the grid. He stressed the need to focus on race pace over a full distance, where tyre degradation can cost nearly a tenth per lap, and admitted Mercedes and McLaren remain strong competitors.

Mercedes’ George Russell secured victory in the Sprint and second place in Qualifying, managing tyres effectively and capitalising on track position. He described the field as close at the front and noted the challenge of maintaining gaps in a tight race. Russell also acknowledged a small error in his final Qualifying lap that cost him a potential pole, but remained optimistic about Mercedes’ race strategy and opportunities on Sunday.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz finished third in Qualifying after a challenging session where he struggled for rhythm early but recovered in Q3. He made a mistake on his final run that cost time, leaving him behind Norris and Russell. Sainz emphasised the competitiveness of the field and the importance of smart overtaking, while acknowledging that a podium finish remains possible despite starting from the second row.