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George Russell takes pole as Hamilton struggles in Zandvoort sprint qualifying

Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 7:13 PM

Last updated Aug 21, 2026

George Russell takes pole as Hamilton struggles in Zandvoort sprint qualifying

Summary

In the sprint qualifying session at Zandvoort, George Russell of Mercedes secured pole position, followed closely by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, with only a tenth of a second separating the top five drivers. Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in the second Ferrari, finishing behind Max Verstappen's Red Bull, the local favorite. The session showcased a competitive atmosphere among the leading teams as they prepared for the upcoming race. Drivers now await the main event after today's closely contested qualifying.

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By the Numbers

•George Russell takes pole position at Zandvoort
•Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc follow closely in qualifying
•Lewis Hamilton finishes seventh in the second Ferrari
•Max Verstappen is the leading home driver
•Tight competition sees top five within a tenth of a second

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What they're saying

"
On its F1 swansong, Zandvoort's sprint qualifying session produced a tight three-team battle at the front, with Mercedes' George Russell taking pole ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc as the top five was covered by just a tenth of a second. Lewis Hamilton was the outlier, who could only muster seventh in the second Ferrari, beaten by home hero Max Verstappen's Red Bull. Hamilton ...Keep reading
— Motorsport.com

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