Piastri's 'Perfect' Pole

F1 leader peaks 'at right time' to pip Norris at Zandvoort, where overtaking is difficult

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ZANDVOORT - Oscar Piastri snatched pole position on Aug 30 for the Dutch Grand Prix, locking up the front of the grid with his teammate Lando Norris as McLaren maintained their dominance of Formula One.

Piastri clocked a lap record time of 1min 8.662sec, 0.012 of a second ahead of Norris, to give himself a valuable advantage for the Aug 31 race.

It was the fifth pole position of the season for the Australian driver, who is seeking to extend his nine-point world championship lead over Norris.

The Briton had the edge in all three practice sessions, but Piastri hit back when it counted to give himself an advantage for the race.

"That was the definition of peak-ing at the right time," Piastri said after the qualification.

"It was looking like a bit of a tricky weekend so far, so to come out with that, I'm pretty stoked."

Norris was phlegmatic about his second place on the grid, noting there was barely anything between the two McLarens.