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Russell takes sprint pole at Zandvoort ahead of Norris and Leclerc

George Russell claimed the fastest time in sprint qualifying at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, putting his Mercedes on pole for the sprint race ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.

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Russell takes sprint pole at Zandvoort ahead of Norris and Leclerc
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George Russell secured sprint pole position at the 2026 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, edging out Lando Norris in a tight sprint qualifying session. Charles Leclerc will line up third on the provisional grid, pending final FIA validation.

Russell’s lap at the top of the order gives Mercedes a strong platform heading into the sprint race, with McLaren’s Norris slotting in directly behind on the front two rows. Leclerc’s Ferrari occupies third place, with Oscar Piastri rounding out the top four positions.

The sprint format at Zandvoort adds an extra layer of competition to a Dutch Grand Prix weekend that carries added significance — reports have indicated the circuit is set to lose its place on the calendar, making this edition a potentially historic occasion for the passionate home crowd that has packed the dunes to support Max Verstappen in recent years.

The provisional grid remains subject to final confirmation from the FIA stewards before the sprint race gets underway.

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