Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying: George Russell claims pole position with title rivals Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton on back foot

21.08.2026, 18:44 skysports.com

George Russell made the ideal start to his attempt to mount a championship fightback in the second half of the 2026 F1 season by claiming pole position for Saturday's Dutch Grand Prix Sprint as nearest title rivals Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton qualified outside the top four.

On F1's first day back on track after the sport's four-week summer break, Russell claimed his third Sprint pole in five attempts this season as his final SQ3 lap of 1:11.567 beat McLaren's Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to the head of the grid by under a tenth of a second.

But championship leader Antonelli was only fifth quickest in the other Mercedes, the Italian teenager's session seemingly compromised after he ran through the gravel on his first lap of SQ1.

And Hamilton, who is second to Antonelli in the standings, was only seventh quickest in the second Ferrari.

Hamilton trails Antonelli by 50 points in the Drivers' Championship, with Russell a further nine points adrift. Points are on offer to the top-eight finishers in the Sprint at 11am on Saturday, with eight for the winner.

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Oscar Piastri took fourth in the second McLaren with Max Verstappen sixth for Red Bull at his home event.

More to follow...​​​​

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Saturday August 228.15am: F1 Academy Qualifying10am: Dutch GP Sprint build-up11am: DUTCH GP SPRINT*1.30pm: F1 Academy Race 12.20pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up*3pm: DUTCH GP QUALIFYING*5pm: Porsche Supercup Race 1

Sunday August 239.35am: F1 Academy Race 210.50am: Porsche Supercup Race 212.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up2pm: THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is at Zandvoort for a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime