Formula 1 heads into Saturday at Zandvoort with George Russell on sprint pole after a tight sprint qualifying session at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver beat Lando Norris by just 0.041s, with Charles Leclerc third and Oscar Piastri fourth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start fifth after suffering floor damage from an off in SQ1, while Max Verstappen starts sixth for his final home grand prix at Zandvoort.
Saturday brings the sprint race followed by qualifying for Sunday’s Dutch GP. With Zandvoort narrow, fast and difficult to overtake on, both sessions could be crucial to the shape of the weekend.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s running at the Dutch GP.
Read Also: "Difficult to stop the car" - Honda's new engine comes with fresh but expected driveability issues How can I watch the F1 Dutch GP?Broadcast coverage of Formula 1 varies by region. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports continues as the championship’s exclusive broadcaster, showing every session live throughout the 2026 season. F1 coverage can also be streamed via Sky Go or NOW, with highlights available free-to-air on Channel 4.
In the United States, Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season, with all sessions available on the platform following a multi-year deal. F1 TV remains the series’ global subscription streaming service.
Motorsport.com will provide live coverage and updates throughout the Dutch GP weekend.
F1 Dutch GP Saturday scheduleTimes local to Zandvoort:
Saturday, August 22 — sprint — 12:00pm CEST
Saturday, August 22 — qualifying — 4:00pm CEST
For UK viewers:
Saturday, August 22 — sprint — 11:00am BST
Saturday, August 22 — qualifying — 3:00pm BST
For US Eastern Time viewers:
Saturday, August 22 — sprint — 6:00am ET
Saturday, August 22 — qualifying — 10:00am ET
All times local to Zandvoort:
Friday, August 21 — free practice 1 — 12:30pm CEST Friday, August 21 — sprint qualifying — 4:30pm CEST Saturday, August 22 — sprint — 12:00pm CEST Saturday, August 22 — qualifying — 4:00pm CEST Sunday, August 23 — 2026 Dutch Grand Prix — 3:00pm CEST Dutch GP Saturday weather forecastSaturday is expected to be cool at Zandvoort, with a couple of morning showers possible before brighter spells later in the day.
That could make conditions tricky for the sprint, especially if the track is still damp or evolving from the morning. Even if qualifying stays dry, Zandvoort’s seaside location means wind and changing cloud cover can still affect car balance around the fast, narrow lap.
Sunday is expected to remain cool for the Dutch GP, so tyre behaviour and track position could be more important than heat.
Dutch GP track factsCircuit: Zandvoort Location: Zandvoort, Netherlands Event: Dutch GP Circuit type: permanent road course Friday sessions: free practice 1 and sprint qualifying Saturday sessions: sprint and qualifying Sunday sessions: RaceZandvoort is a fast, narrow seaside circuit with banked corners and little margin for error, making qualifying, confidence and track position especially important.
2026 Formula 1 driver and team rosterTeamDriverDriverMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesGeorge RussellKimi AntonelliRed Bull RacingMax VerstappenIsack Hadjar*FerrariLewis HamiltonCharles LeclercWilliamsCarlos SainzAlex AlbonRacing BullsLiam LawsonArvid LindbladAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollHaas F1 TeamOliver BearmanEsteban OconAudiNico HulkenbergGabriel BortoletoAlpinePierre GaslyFranco ColapintoCadillac F1 TeamValtteri Bottas*Hadjar is injured for the Dutch GP so is replaced by Lawson at Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping in at Racing Bulls
Photos from F1 Dutch GP - FridayAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLarenLando Norris, McLarenClive Mason - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamOliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamClive Mason - Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesClive Mason - Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLarenOscar Piastri, McLarenClive Mason - Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingClive Mason - Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsLiam Lawson, Racing BullsClive Mason - Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, AlpineFranco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsArvid Lindblad, Racing BullsSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsCarlos Sainz, WilliamsAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamEsteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsLiam Lawson, Racing BullsMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Fans gathered for the stageFans gathered for the stageMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Jack the LionJack the LionMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Yuki TsunodaYuki TsunodaMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLarenLando Norris, McLarenMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMax Verstappen, Red Bull RacingGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
GrandstandGrandstandGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMax Verstappen, Red Bull RacingGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsLiam Lawson, Racing BullsGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Yuki TsunodaYuki TsunodaMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLarenLando Norris, McLarenPauline Ballet - Formula 1
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamEsteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLarenOscar Piastri, McLarenPauline Ballet - Formula 1
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMax Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLarenOscar Piastri, McLarenSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, AlpineGabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, AlpineSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingOliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, AlpinePierre Gasly, AlpineSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsArvid Lindblad, Racing BullsAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 TeamNico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariLewis Hamilton, FerrariAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, AlpineFranco Colapinto, AlpineAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamOliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLarenOscar Piastri, McLarenAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLarenLando Norris, McLarenSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, MercedesGeorge Russell, MercedesSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariLewis Hamilton, FerrariAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, Oscar Piastri, McLarenArvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, Oscar Piastri, McLarenSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Leave a Comment