Max fifth in third free practice on Circuit Zandvoort

Published on 30 August 2025 by Florence Cobben

Max Verstappen finished fifth in the third free practice of the Dutch Grand Prix. Despite a late switch to soft tyres, Max Verstappen found himself unable to challenge the commanding pace of the McLarens. With a best time of 1:09.925, Max came across the line almost a second slower than fastest man Lando Norris (1:08.972). Oscar Piastri was about two-tenths slower than his McLaren teammate, and ended the session in P2. George Russell (Mercedes) set the third fastest time.

Zandvoort, home of persistent rain, saw a mighty shower in the morning leading up to Circuit Zandvoort's third free practice. However, by the time the session commences, the sun has made its return, and the air temperature is holding steady at 20°C. Isack Hadjar is first on track on a set of intermediates, since the track is still a bit damp. After an initial introductory lap, the Frenchman returns to the pits. The drivers are already phasing out intermediates in favor of dry weather tyres.

Twenty minutes into the session, Max makes his first appearance of the day. On the medium compound tyres the Dutchman notes down a 1:11.022 time, promoting him to P3, just behind the two soft-tyred McLarens. Following a brief pit stop for a fresh set of mediums, he improves his lap time to a 1:10.703. It secures him a couple moments longer in P3, but it’s not long till Lewis Hamilton and Oliver Bearman improve on the Red Bull Racing driver’s time.

With just twenty minutes on the clock, Max again takes to the asphalt on medium compound tyres, but his otherwise promising flying lap is interrupted. In the last fifteen minutes of the session, Max makes the switch to softs. His times see immediate improvement – the hometown hero clocks a time of 1:09.925, good for fourth place. Yet, his efforts are overshadowed by Lando Norris, whose blistering 1:08.972 was a second quicker, and beat his own previous pole time by seven-tenths.

Another cagey moment between George Russell and Fernando Alonso sees both drivers get summoned to the stewards – Alonso, in the middle of a fast lap, almost drove into Russell who didn’t see the Spaniard coming and was making the move to enter the pit lane. The Aston Martin driver was almost forced into the barriers by the maneuver, but luckily the incident passed without consequences.

In the closing phases of the session, the dust settles on the session's top five; Norris leads a McLaren 1-2 from Piastri. George Russell secured third, but with a sizable gap to the leaders. Carlos Sainz put his Williams in an impressive fourth place, with Max Verstappen ultimately crossing the line to finish fifth.

At 15:00, the qualifying session of the Dutch Grand Prix will commence.

Contest Dutch GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Results third free practice Netherlands: