We arrived at Zandvoort to breaking driver news...Albon and Sainz would be staying with Williams! No, Verstappen had signed for four more years with Red Bull, ending all exciting speculation that he would be with a different team next season.
There was change at Red Bull though, Hadjar had damaged his wrist over the holidays so Lawson was moved to stand in at the main team from Racing Bulls. Tsunoda was brought in from the cold to drive in that seat.
Into the lap-setting and Antonelli was quick to go off through the gravel in the first session. Alonso did something similar. Aston Martin had brought upgrades to the last race and now it was their power unit provider, Honda's turn to bring the goods but the drivers were out in 19th and last places. The six drivers out were Bearman (who seems to have lost it compared with the flailing Ocon), Sainz, Stroll, Bottas, Perez and Alonso. It turned out a piece was broken on the wing on that slowest car.
The second session passed off with no incidents. Lawson and Tsunoda were the best of the rest but that was still a good showing in new cars to them. Behind them were Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Albon. The Williams is really struggling at this track (and the rest of them really).
There were quite a few drivers who could have taken Sprint Pole but in the end it was Russell, who will not stop going on about getting engaged. Norris and LeClerc took the other "podium" places then Piastri, Antonelli, Versappen, Hamilton, Gasly, Bortoleto and Linblad. It's good to see the two top drivers in the championship a little further back and having to work for it.
Andrea Stella warned that despite his drivers starting in great positions there was lots of uncertainty for the Sprint. The weather may be a problem. It would be interesting to see how it all pans out.
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