2024 DUTCH GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING RECAP

Aug 24, 2024

4 min read

The qualifying session for the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix, the first race fresh from summer break, and its aftermath was nothing short of suspenseful. In case you missed it, here's a quick recap:

NORRIS TAKES POLE

After Max Verstappen of Red Bull seized the preliminary pole position, Lando Norris of McLaren awed everyone moments later with a final lap that secured the starting position from the Dutch driver by three-and-a-half-tenths of a second.

Remarking on his prospects against Verstappen tomorrow, Norris commented, "I'm sure it's going to be tough. Max has been quick all weekend. I know we got him today, but he's still second and he's going to be putting up a good fight, specially at his home race. I'm looking forward to it."

Three male race car drivers posing together for a photo — Max Verstappen (Left), Lando Norris (Center), and Oscar Piastri (Right) Photo Credit: formula1.com

Behind Norris and Verstappen in P3 is the former's teammate, Oscar Piastri. This certainly sets what is to be an exciting competition for first place in the Constructors' Championship between McLaren and Red Bull. A 1-2 finish for McLaren drivers (given that everything goes well for the drivers tomorrow) would provide the papaya-colored team the dominance they've been vying for all season.

SHOCK KNOCKOUTS IN Q2

Two of the biggest shocks during today's qualifying session are Lewis Hamilton's and Carlos Sainz's knockouts during Q2. The Ferrari and Mercedes drivers placed P11 and P12 at qualifying time (more on that in a moment).

Sainz barely participated in yesterday's FP2 due to an issue with his car's gearbox. Mixed weather conditions over the weekend added to Logan Sargeant's red flag incident earlier today during FP3, leaving Sainz without a chance to run before qualifying. "I was still keeping my hopes up, given that I normally get up to speedy very quickly," the Spanish driver remarked, "And [that] I could make it through to Q3, given I've been three weeks without touching the car."

A man running his hands through his hair — Carlos Sainz Photo Credit: Newsweek

Hamilton, who recently won the British Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix (he inherited the latter victory after teammate George Russell was disqualified), was one of the favorites to take pole position today. "I think ultimately, if everyone had had a dry P3, we probably would have done a bit of a better job with the set-up, maybe, for qualifying," he remarked, "but still, I think just [the] performance wasn't there from my side."

The stewards metaphorically asked us to hold their beer as if the British driver had not had enough bad luck today.

smiling man with jewelry looking to the side — Sir Lewis Hamilton Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

FIA STEWARDS WOKE UP AND CHOSE VIOLENCE

In Q1, Race Control noted an impending incident between Sergio Perez (Car 11) and a slow-moving Lewis Hamilton (Car 44). According to FIA stewards, "The driver of Car 44, being on an in lap, was informed by the team that Car 11 was approaching on a fast lap when he entered Turn 8. He then drove off line at the exit of Turn 8 with the intention to give way for Car 11. However, when Car 11 arrived, Car 44 had already entered Turn 9 and drove back towards the racing line at the exit of Turn 9, thereby clearly impeding Car 11."

Dash footage and audio from team radios heard Perez let out a few expletives in response to Hamilton's positioning. Hamilton told his race engineer on his radio that he was "well out of [Perez's] way." Perez later remarked that the incident had impacted his session, as he had to use an extra pair of tires after lifting his car. At 5 p.m. (local time), FIA stewards summoned drivers and their respective team representatives, who deemed that Hamilton had "unnecessarily impeded" Perez's car and was given a three-place penalty.

Now, was Hamilton's penalty fair?

It was harsh. In his defense, he did try to give Perez enough space. His only choice would be to drive toward the gravel, a risky move that any driver would not intentionally risk during a qualifying session. The seven-time champion will now have to start from P15, though he may now be starting from P14 as he wasn't the only driver the FIA had a bone to pick with.

Alex Albon of Williams finished today's qualifying session with an 8th-place start on the grid, a fantastic result for Williams. Unfortunately, a report from FIA F1 Technical Delegate Jo Bauer noted an issue with the car floor that was being passed on to FIA stewards to determine. Both Williams cars received an upgraded diffuser, sidepod inlet, engine cover, central air intake, and floor body.

According to Bauer's document, "the floor body was found to lie outside the regulatory volume." An official summons required Albon and a Williams team representative to address the matter with a stewards panel at 6:30 p.m. (local time).

A man crosses his arms with listening to something with earphones — Alex Albon Photo Credit: planetf1.com

Two hours later, it was announced that Albon's results were disqualified after the stewards deemed that the floor of his car breached technical regulations. He will now start from the rear of the field. His teammate, Logan Sargeant, did not compete in Qualifying as the team could not fix the car on time after he violently crashed out in his upgraded car during the final practice session earlier in the day. Luckily, he was unharmed in the accident. Albon’s disqualification is a significant blow for Williams, who had higher chances of securing points through Albon's top-ten start.

New Starting Grid for Tomorrow’s Race:

The news of Hamilton's three-place penalty and Albon's disqualified results were announced within minutes of each other. Both place adjustments will give some of the drivers a slight bump up of the grid. Here’s an updated list of tomorrow’s starting positions: