McLaren’s Lando Norris secured pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday, edging Mercedes driver George Russell by just 0.102 seconds in a tight qualifying session.
The reigning world champion produced a fastest lap of 1 minute, 11.163 seconds, earning his second successive pole after also starting from the front at the previous race in Hungary.
Russell, who won Saturday’s Sprint race at Zandvoort, will line up alongside Norris on the front row for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified third for Mercedes, only 0.031 seconds behind Russell, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took fourth, a further 0.009 seconds back.
Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc secured fifth and sixth respectively, while home favourite Max Verstappen could manage only seventh for Red Bull. Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10.
“It doesn’t get any better, a little surprised honestly,” Norris said. “I was pushing, as you’ve seen how close it is. Every one-hundredth can make a difference.”
Norris credited changes made to his McLaren after earlier difficulties with giving him greater confidence heading into qualifying.
Russell said Mercedes had been capable of fighting for the top spot but praised Norris for delivering when it mattered.
“Lando did a great job, so congrats to him and McLaren,” Russell said. “I thought we had it there to fight for pole, but P2 is good.”
Antonelli, meanwhile, blamed a mistake at Turn 1 on his final attempt for costing him a potential shot at pole.
The result leaves the main championship contenders well placed on the grid. Antonelli leads the standings with 224 points, ahead of Hamilton on 171 and Russell on 168.
Earlier Saturday, Russell won the Sprint from pole, finishing ahead of Leclerc and Norris.
The Dutch Grand Prix takes place at Zandvoort on Sunday.