F1MATHS - What did we learn on qualifying day at Zandvoort?
After the truly nail-biting qualifying day at the Zandvoort circuit, F1Technical's senior writer Balazs Szabo delivers some key numbers and facts from the qualifying day in the Netherlands.
12 thousands - After the practice sessions, all stars pointed towards a pole position from Lando Norris, who completed a clean sweep of Free Practice quickest lap. However, his team-mate Oscar Piastri came alive in the all-important final qualifying session to beat thr Briton by just 12 thousands.
Improvement - McLaren secured their 69th front row lock-out which witnessed the Woking-based outfit surpass Ferrari for second on the all-time list behind Mercedes’ 82.
Two tenths - Although McLaren had a significant margin over its rivals across the practice sessions, local favourite Max Verstappen claimed third, only 0.263s behind the pole-sitter Oscar Piastri.
Middle sector - Oscar Piastri set the quickest sector time in the first and last segment of the Zandvoort circuit, but it was Max Verstappen, who recorded the best time in the challenging middle sector. It was down to the differences in terms of rear wing as Red Bull opted for a much more loaded configuration.
Fifth - Today’s qualifying witnessed Oscar Piastri clinch his fifth pole position of the season, and the first at Zandvoort, and his first since the Spanish Grand Prix six races ago His team-mate Lando Norris has so far claimed four position, with Max Verstappen (4), Charles Leclerc (1) and George Russell (1) having been the only drivers to claim pole this season.
Best result - Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar qualified fourth which marked his career-best start in F1. For the Faenza-based outfit, it is only the 13th top-four start in 40 years.
Improving form - Although Charles Leclerc out-qualified his team mate Lewis Hamilton at Zandvoort, the seven-time world champion was only 0.050s slower than the Monegasque. After 15 qualifying sessions, Leclerc out-qualified Hamilton 11-4.
Tyres - New for this year was the C4 compound which proved it could deliver maximum potential on its first flying lap. Those who equalled their first time on a second run managed it thanks to track evolution.
Different fortunes - On the back of a run of tough qualifying sessions, Carlos Sainz secured his first Q3 appearance since the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in mid-May. His countryman, Fernando Alonso made a seventh Q3 appearance in the last nine Grands Prix with his 10th-place showing.
Mercedes rookie driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli looked very strong in Q1 and Q2, but he ended up down in 11th, failing to reach Q3 for the third consecutive Grand Prix.
