P1racenews AI automatic summary:
In the context of a close fight out front and Zandvoort being a very short lap, Lando Norris pulled out a thrashing in the upgraded McLaren in Dutch GP qualifying. Mark Hughes explains what made it possible…
Formula 1 qualifying in Zandvoort was a showdown between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, with Norris clinching pole position by a significant margin thanks to a stellar final Q3 lap. The McLaren’s post-Miami upgrade has made it consistently fast on various tracks and conditions, unlike the Red Bull that requires meticulous set-up adjustments. Unfavorable weather conditions at Zandvoort favored the McLaren’s stable performance over the Red Bull’s sensitive reactions to wind and track variations. Norris delivered a phenomenal lap, showcasing the car’s enhanced grip and balance, which boosted his confidence and lap time significantly. In contrast, Verstappen struggled with the Red Bull’s unpredictability and wind sensitivity, leading to a challenging session with varying balance and performance issues. Ultimately, Norris’s faultless and confident driving combined with McLaren’s performance upgrade secured him a well-deserved pole position.
