P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren has the edge in Zandvoort – but is Aston Martin really its closest rival? Here’s what Mark Hughes’s Friday analysis says
The weather conditions at Zandvoort on the first day of running made for a challenging competitive environment, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso emerging as a noteworthy rival to McLaren’s dominant Lando Norris.
Norris showcased his speed, outpacing his teammate Oscar Piastri, who struggled to match his pace, especially in the latter half of the lap.
Aston Martin engaged in set-up experimentation, testing different floors and strategies with Alonso and Lance Stroll. Both drivers showed promising pace behind McLaren but ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes.
The track’s sensitivity to downforce played a significant role in performance, favoring cars loaded with wing setups similar to the Aston Martin’s current evolution.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull made setup changes throughout the day, aiming to improve the car’s balance, while George Russell’s Mercedes showed potential with a strong long-run performance on the hard tyre.
Ferrari and Mercedes made adjustments in response to the track’s demands, with hopes of closing the gap to the leading teams ahead of the upcoming sessions.
