Kimi Antonelli leads Dutch GP practice as Red Bull struggles at Zandvoort
7 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 12:03 PM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes set the fastest lap during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix on August 21, achieving a time of 1m12.949s at Zandvoort. He was the only driver to complete a lap under 1m12s, with McLaren’s Lando Norris following in second with a lap time of 1m13.070s. The session marked the return of Formula 1 after the summer break, and drivers quickly took to the track in a bid to establish competitive times. Red Bull's performance showed challenges as they struggled to match the pace set by Antonelli and Norris. Further sessions will determine the final grid positions for the race.
- •Antonelli is the only driver below 1m12s in practice
- •Norris finishes second, indicating strong McLaren performance
- •Red Bull teams face challenges in practice session
- •Practice serves as a crucial indicator for upcoming qualifying
- 12:03 PMYahoo Sports — Antonelli holds off nearest rivals to top practice session at Dutch GP
- 12:00 PMYahoo Sports — Antonelli leads Norris in Dutch GP first practice
- 11:57 AMBBC Sport — Antonelli leads Norris in Dutch GP first practice
- 11:45 AMAutosport — F1 Dutch GP: Antonelli pips Norris in practice amid poor showing for Red Bull
- 11:43 AMMotorsport.com — F1 Dutch GP: Kimi Antonelli tops sole Zandvoort practice as Red Bull struggles
"Kimi Antonelli was fastest in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix as the championship leader picked up where he left off upon Formula 1’s return from its summer break. The Mercedes star set a 1m12.949s lap at Zandvoort and was the only driver to go sub-1m13s as second-place went to McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris with a 1m13.070s. Drivers were quick to head out for the sole ...Keep reading
"Kimi Antonelli was fastest in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix as the championship leader picked up where he left off upon Formula 1’s return from its summer break. The Mercedes star set a 1m12.949s lap at Zandvoort and was the only driver to go sub-1m12s as second-place went to McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris with a 1m13.070s. Drivers were quick to head out for the sole ...Keep reading
"Kimi Antonelli topped the sole practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix but British trio Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell look well set to challenge the championship leader. The Italian, who turns 20 next week, has returned from the sport's summer shutdown with a 50-point lead over Hamilton at the top of the standings, with his Mercedes team-mate Russell nine further back.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 12:03 PMAntonelli holds off nearest rivals to top practice session at Dutch GP
Kimi Antonelli topped the sole practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix but British trio Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell look well set to challenge the championship leader. The Italian, who turns 20 next week, has returned from the sport's summer shutdown with a 50-point lead over Hamilton at the top of the standings, with his Mercedes team-mate Russell nine further back.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 12:00 PMAntonelli leads Norris in Dutch GP first practice
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli heads McLaren's Lando Norris in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
- BBC SportAug 21, 2026, 11:57 AMAntonelli leads Norris in Dutch GP first practice
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli heads McLaren's Lando Norris in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
- AutosportAug 21, 2026, 11:45 AMF1 Dutch GP: Antonelli pips Norris in practice amid poor showing for Red Bull
Kimi Antonelli was fastest in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix as the championship leader picked up where he left off upon Formula 1’s return from its summer break. The Mercedes star set a 1m12.949s lap at Zandvoort and was the only driver to go sub-1m13s as second-place went to McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris with a 1m13.070s. Drivers were quick to head out for the sole ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 21, 2026, 11:43 AMF1 Dutch GP: Kimi Antonelli tops sole Zandvoort practice as Red Bull struggles
Kimi Antonelli was fastest in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix as the championship leader picked up where he left off upon Formula 1’s return from its summer break. The Mercedes star set a 1m12.949s lap at Zandvoort and was the only driver to go sub-1m12s as second-place went to McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris with a 1m13.070s. Drivers were quick to head out for the sole ...Keep reading
- Formula1.com—Antonelli leads Norris and Russell in Dutch GP FP1
Kimi Antonelli finished fastest in Free Practice 1 ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix as Formula 1 returned from its summer break, the Mercedes driver beating McLaren's Lando Norris and team mate George Russell.
- Sky Sports—Antonelli fastest from Norris ahead of Sprint Qualifying as F1 returns
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was fastest from Lando Norris in the only practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix as Formula 1 returned from its summer break.
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