Lando Norris secured pole for the Dutch Grand Prix in Formula 1, arriving at the race with an important historical fact in his favor. Since Zandvoort’s return to the category’s calendar in 2021, all drivers who started in first position have won the race.
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This record includes three consecutive wins by Max Verstappen between 2021 and 2023, before Norris repeated the feat in 2024 and Oscar Piastri did the same last season. With five editions held since the circuit’s return to the calendar, the starting position has proven to be decisive.
George Russell’s performance in the Sprint race on Saturday (22) also reinforced the importance of starting at the front in Zandvoort. The Mercedes driver started from pole and remained in the lead throughout the race, although the short race has different characteristics from the GP, especially due to the absence of pit stops and the reduced distance.
Norris, however, does not expect an easy race for McLaren. After admitting, following the Sprint qualifying, that the team did not have enough pace, the Briton acknowledged that there was progress but assessed that the team may still face difficulties during the GP this Sunday.
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Even with pole and the favorable record, the current world champion prefers not to project the title fight too much. Norris stated that he is focused on making the most of the performance available in the car and joked about possible mistakes from competitors.
“I really don’t care about what I’m doing next weekend or the one after. It’s good to know there’s a possibility. We’re still trying to make up ground on some things. But I’m taking everything I can from it for now, and that’s all I can consider positive,” concluded the British driver.
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