Norris edges Max Verstappen in rain-hit Dutch Grand Prix practice

Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the first practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix on Friday, narrowly beating local favorite Max Verstappen in unpredictable weather conditions at the Zandvoort circuit.

The session saw rapidly changing conditions, with torrential rain followed by bursts of sunshine, complicating tyre choices and race strategies. On the final lap of practice, Verstappen briefly set the fastest time in his Red Bull, only for Norris to reclaim the top spot with a lap of 1:12.322 in his McLaren.

Verstappen trailed by just 0.201 seconds, while Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes was third, 0.684 seconds off Norris’ pace.

Verstappen, who has never lost at Zandvoort since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021, faced challenges on the wet track, including a lock-up that caused him to spin out during what appeared to be a fastest lap attempt.

Despite a dominant start to the season with seven wins in the first 10 races, Verstappen has not won in the last four Grands Prix, his longest winless streak since 2020. Norris, currently 78 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship, remains realistic about his chances but acknowledges the challenge ahead.

“It’s a lot of points and it’s against Max, so I want to be optimistic and say there’s still chances. I know it’s a lot, and it’s going to be a very difficult challenge,” said Norris.

(Source: AFP)