On Friday, August 21, 2026, the Formula 1 weekend took off at the historic Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands. In the first free practice session (FP1), Italian driver Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets with an impressive lap, immediately turning heads in the paddock and among the sport's biggest teams.
The results, shared by the X account @formularacers, show an incredibly tight field. The top six drivers were separated by less than seven tenths of a second, meaning the battle for pole is already intense.
Top 10 in FP1 – Dutch Grand Prix
| Position | Driver | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Reference lap |
| 2 | Lando Norris | +0.121 |
| 3 | George Russell | +0.125 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | +0.190 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | +0.289 |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | +0.659 |
| 7 | Nico Hülkenberg | +0.835 |
| 8 | Pierre Gasly | +0.962 |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | +1.043 |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad | +1.336 |
A Field That Gives Nothing Away
This first session made it clear: the fight is not measured in seconds but in milliseconds. Between second and fourth place, Norris, Russell, and Hamilton were separated by just 0.069 seconds. The “easy day” lasted barely a moment – teams are already fine-tuning their setups ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.
Behind them, the new generation made its presence known: Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad slipped into the top ten, beating experienced drivers and putting their racing academies in the spotlight. This track rewards precision and balance, something these young talents handle with daring.
Antonelli’s reference time, although set during the early part of FP1, comes at a stage of the championship that demands immediate answers. The North Sea winds and the banked corners of Zandvoort will be the backdrop of a battle where every pit return brings both lessons and pressure.
Looking ahead: The next free practice (FP2) will run with more fuel and a more rubbered-in track. Qualifying will define Sunday’s grid, and teams are already studying this first data dump for the decisive moments.
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