Formula 1 News: Lando Norris Secures Dominant Dutch Grand Prix Pole
In a thrilling Formula 1 qualifying session, Lando Norris claimed his third pole position of the 2024 season at the Dutch Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by a decisive 0.356-second margin. The McLaren driver’s impressive display was built on a strong first sector, where he gained a quarter of a second advantage over Verstappen, ultimately culminating in the only sub-70 second lap of the weekend.
According to GPS data, Norris’ superior traction out of the slower corners, particularly at Turn 1 and Turn 3, gave him a significant cushion over Verstappen. The Briton’s braking traces revealed a more subtle approach, using engine braking to slow the car down and selecting lower gears to gather more acceleration out of the corners.
Norris’ exit from Turn 3, in particular, demonstrated his mastery over the Zandvoort circuit, as he maintained more rear-end grip and built momentum towards the banked third corner. This allowed him to carry more speed through the undulating sweepers leading up to Turn 7, ultimately creating a 0.249-second advantage over Verstappen at the end of the first sector.
Although Verstappen briefly closed the gap in the second sector, Norris’ superior traction and acceleration out of the corners, particularly in the traction phase, enabled him to rebuild his advantage. The McLaren driver’s impressive exit from Turn 12, where he gunned the throttle earlier than Verstappen, proved decisive in securing pole position.
Struggles for Piastri
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri struggled to match his teammate’s pace, with issues in four key areas:
- His speculative exit from Turn 1
- A bigger lift through the Turn 2 kink
- A wayward exit from Turn 10
- Ordinary through-corner speed through the first phase of Turn 11/12
These mistakes hindered his ability to extract the same level of performance from his MCL38, ultimately relegating him to a lower grid position.
Today’s dominant display by Norris serves as a testament to his growing confidence and skill behind the wheel. As the Formula 1 standings continue to take shape, Norris’ pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix marks a significant milestone in his quest for championship glory. Stay tuned for more Formula 1 news and updates as the season unfolds.
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