2023-08-26 16:40:03
In the free practice sessions for the Dutch GP, Lewis Hamilton was still among the top five. The Mercedes driver ended the first session third fastest, just 0.373 seconds behind Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen’s best time. In the second practice he was 0.308s slower than FP2 fastest Lando Norris.
And on Saturday morning, the seven-time world champion turned the fifth fastest lap, his gap to the top time, which Verstappen set again, was 1.092 seconds. In qualifying he didn’t get past Q2. Hamilton had to settle for 13th place on the provisional timesheets, of the local hero from the Red Bull Racing Team’s Q2 best time was 1.295 seconds.
Hamilton explained afterwards: “It was already difficult in the second practice session, and it was tricky on Saturday morning. I didn’t have confidence in the car because the rear tended to break out.” And the World Cup fourth consoled himself: “Tomorrow is a new day and I’ll be glad when it’s over.”
When asked how difficult the traditional Dutch circuit was in the changeable conditions, Hamilton said: “It was tricky with our set-up. But the track itself is great – if you put the tires in the right working window. Then she is outstanding. In today’s set-up, we were hoping for a ride on a dry track. Let’s see what’s possible on Sunday.”
Qualifying, Zandvoort
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:10,567 min
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:11.104
03. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:11,294
04. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:11,419
05. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:11,506
06. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:11,754
07. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:11.880
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:11.938
09. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:12,665
10. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:16,748
11. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:20,121
12. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:20,128
13. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:20,151
14. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:20,230
15. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:20,250
16. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,067
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:22,110
18. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:22.192
19. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:22,260
20. Liam Lawson (NZ), AlphaTauri, 1:23,420
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#tricky #setup