After the Sprint held at midday, the drivers will return to the track this Saturday for the qualifying sessions of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.
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A particularly busy day awaits the Formula 1 drivers this Saturday at Zandvoort. Just a few hours after the Sprint, they will return to the track to compete in the qualifying sessions that will determine the starting grid for the Dutch Grand Prix.
The session will start at 4:00 PM local time, which is also 4:00 PM in France and Belgium.
These qualifying sessions will take place four hours after the start of the Sprint, scheduled for 12:00 PM.
A second battle for pole at Zandvoort
Friday’s sprint qualifying gave a first glimpse of the very tight hierarchy on the Dutch circuit.
George Russell secured the Sprint pole with a time of 1’11″567, but the Mercedes driver only beat Lando Norris by 41 thousandths of a second. Charles Leclerc finished just 55 thousandths behind, while Oscar Piastri, fourth, was only 99 thousandths off.
Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari therefore seem capable of fighting again for the pole position during the Grand Prix qualifying sessions.
Read more The explosive starting grid of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint
Max Verstappen will be looking to improve in front of his home crowd. Sixth in the sprint qualifying, the Red Bull driver admitted he still lacks balance and grip at the wheel of his RB22.
Ferrari will also be looking to improve
The session will also be important for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion showed encouraging pace by finishing fourth in the free practice sessions, before dropping to seventh in the sprint qualifying.
Hamilton explained that his Ferrari had become “completely different” after some adjustments made between the two sessions. Scuderia Ferrari will be able to take advantage of the parc fermé reopening after the Sprint to make broader setup changes to their car.
Charles Leclerc will approach qualifying with more confidence after his third place in the Sprint Shootout.
The schedule will therefore be particularly tight this Saturday at Zandvoort: Sprint start at 12:00 PM, then Dutch Grand Prix qualifying at 4:00 PM. The pole position earned in the afternoon will determine the first place on the grid for the main race on Sunday.
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