ZANDVOORT, Netherlands: McLaren driver Lando Norris on Saturday claimed pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix, pipping local favorite Max Verstappen into second in a thrilling qualifying session.
The British driver registered the fastest lap in one minute 9.673 seconds ahead of Verstappen’s Red Bull who clocked 1min 10.029sec in windy and damp conditions on the Zandvoort circuit.
Norris’s McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri will start in third place on the grid on Sunday, ahead of George Russell from Mercedes in fourth.
“We lacked a bit of pace. I’m still happy to be on the front row. It’s tricky out there with the wind,” said Verstappen.
“I’m happy with second. I think after yesterday, this was a good result,” added the 26-year-old.
Verstappen will be competing in his 200th Grand Prix on Sunday but things did not all go his way at his home Grand Prix.
He has never been beaten in the three races held in the Netherlands since it was re-established on the circuit in 2021 and always started in pole position.
But he trailed in fifth during practice, complaining his Red Bull was lacking speed, with no clear path to improving performance.
After winning 19 races on a cruise to the 2023 world championship, Verstappen took seven of the first 10 in 2024, leaving many fearing a similar procession this year.
But he has suffered a lean spell by his own standards, without a win in the last four races — his longest winless stretch since 2020.
He nevertheless enjoys a 78-point lead in the drivers’ championship over closest rival Norris, who has admitted he faces an uphill climb to overhaul the Dutchman.
“I’m not expecting anything easy that’s for sure,” Norris told reporters after the qualifying.
McLaren’s Lando Norris takes pole for Dutch Grand Prix
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McLaren’s Lando Norris takes pole for Dutch Grand Prix
- British driver registered the fastest lap in one minute 9.673 seconds ahead of Verstappen’s Red Bull
Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona
- Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga
MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.
