Dutch GP: Norris edges Verstappen in tricky wet-to-dry FP1
McLaren’s Lando Norris topped a mixed first practice at the Dutch GP, with the session closing out dry after most of the running had taken place in damp conditions.
Norris edged Verstappen by 0.201s while Lewis Hamilton was third for Mercedes, 0.684s adrift.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was fourth just ahead of George Russell, with Williams’ Alex Albon making it five different teams among the top six.
Extending northern Europe’s very wet summer, conditions were treacherous from the outset of Friday’s opening practice, with the track’s slippery surface compounded by raging winds swirling around Zandvoort’s dunes.
As the session kicked off, fans braving the conditions were hoping for some extensive running, but few ventured out on the track when the lights went green.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly tentatively tested the waters, while Carlos Sainz followed suit, the Spaniard’s Ferrari also fitted with the full wet tyre. But after 15 minutes, only a combined eight drivers had put a total of nine laps on the board.
Finally, Charles Leclerc got the ball rolling with a 1m26.111, with Nico Hulkenberg and George Russell following the Monegasque in setting an early time.
Meanwhile, Verstappen was seen being strapped into his RB20 on the large screen which generated a collective gasp of contentment from the Dutchman’s ‘orange army’.
Eventually, more cars joined the mix as the sun displayed its timid presence and blue skies began to show, but the gusts of wind remained strong.
Nevertheless, the intermediate rubber was now in force, which allowed Verstappen to seize the number one spot. But the Red Bull charger’s stay at the top was short-lived, with Norris and Russell who had also switched to the green-walled tyre taking charge.
With a little over 15 minutes left on the clock and with conditions quickly improving, Sauber’s FP1 Robert Shwartzman – running in place of Valtteri Bottas – popped up into a creditable third.
Over at Williams, a 100-euro small change penalty was handed out to Logan Sargeant for speeding in the pitlane.
As the session entered its closing stages, the time for slicks had arrived. Russell was the first driver to lay down a marker on the soft rubber, but Norris immediately outpaced his Mercedes rival.
As grip improved, changes were fast and furious at the top of the field, with Piastri making it a McLaren 1-2 with five minutes to go.
But as the rotations up front continued, Norris settled the score with a 1m12.322s that edged Verstappen by 0.201s, while Hamilton was third.
Sainz and Russell rounded off the top five, with Albon, Piastri, Hulkenberg and Magnussen, and Zhou completing the top ten.
A dry track is forecasted for FP2 but the wind will likely continue to throw a spanner into the works of most drivers.
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