F1 qualifying LIVE: Hamilton targets first pole position of the year at the Dutch GP

Lando Norris has warned Lewis Hamilton that an “unstoppable” Max Verstappen is coming for the British driver’s records. Verstappen heads into his home race at Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort with a commanding 93-point title lead as he closes in on his second championship triumph in as many years.

The Dutch driver’s victory last time out in Belgium took him to 29 career victories, just three short of Fernando Alonso, placing him eighth on the all-time list. Hamilton holds the record of most wins (103) and, alongside Michael Schumacher, has been crowned champion of the world on seven occasions.

But Norris believes Verstappen, in his dominant Red Bull machine, could reach 70 wins within two seasons, leaving just Hamilton and Schumacher (91) ahead of a driver who has not yet celebrated his 25th birthday.

“If Max has two seasons like this, he can get another 30 to 40 wins in the next year-and-a-half to two years, and then he is up to 70 already, so he could quite possibly (beat Hamilton’s records),” said Norris.

Fernando Alonso apologised for calling Lewis Hamilton an “idiot” and withdrew his comment that the British driver can only race from the front. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Alonso, 41, said he would now remain silent on the radio to avoid further controversy.

Alonso’s outburst over the airwaves was provoked by a collision on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix last Sunday. Following Alonso’s comments, Hamilton said he would not speak to the double world champion, and added: “It is nice to know how he feels about me.”

But in a move to diffuse the row here in Zandvoort, Alpine’s Alonso said: “When we are in the TV (interview) pen I will approach Lewis and say sorry. Nothing I said is true and there are facts that show the opposite. I have absolutely no problems with Lewis. I have huge respect for him.

“He is a champion, a legend of our time, and then when you say something – and I am sorry to repeat this – against a British driver, there is a huge media involvement after that.”

Esteban Ocon revealed that he wants Mick Schumacher as his team-mate at Alpine next year but acknowledged the decision is not in his hands. Fernando Alonso shocked the paddock last month by announcing he would move to Aston Martin at the end of 2022, leaving Alpine with a race seat to fill alongside Ocon.

The team then announced test driver and 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri as Ocon’s team-mate before the Australian himself denied he had signed a contract to race for Alpine next year, with the matter since being heard at the F1’s Contract Recognition Board, with a verdict due on Thursday.

Yet Ocon did not hold back when asked who his preferred team-mate would be, referring to Haas driver Schumacher who has impressed in his second season in Formula 1 this year.

“My choice would be Mick if he doesn’t have anything lined up on his side next year,” Ocon said, sat alongside Schumacher, in the FIA press conference ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher is in “the best of hands” as he continus to recover from his horrific skiing accident, says ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt – who revealed he has seen the German three times a week on some occasions.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has not been seen publicly since suffering a near-fatal brain injury while skiing in December 2013 in Meribel, France. His wife Corinna has insisted on protecting Schumacher’s privacy in the eight-and-a-half years since, with his medical condition shrouded in secrecy as he continues to recover at home in Switzerland.

Todt, who has a close relationship with the Schumacher family, was asked this week about the Ferrari legend and thanked his fans for their continued support, adding that the 53-year-old is “surrounded by people who love him.”

“I’m happy that the fans, not only in Germany, think of him so much,” Todt told German outlet Bild. “People ask so much about Michael. The fans should know that he is in the best of hands. In the best situation he can be and surrounded by people who love him.”

While the weekend action began out on track in Zandvoort, Formula One’s most enthralling summer soap opera reached its conclusion with the news that Oscar Piastri has signed for McLaren.

The 2021 Formula Two champion has for the past month been in the middle of a squabbling match between McLaren and Alpine, with the latter’s public announcement that test driver Piastri would race for them next year immediately contradicted by the Australian himself on social media. Finally though, we have our result. Piastri will race for McLaren, signing a “multi-year contract” as Lando Norris’s teammate.

“I’m extremely excited to be making my F1 debut with such a prestigious team as McLaren and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that’s been offered to me,” Piastri said in a press release, publicised this time with his consent.

While McLaren will be relieved their contract with Piastri – signed after the British Grand Prix on 4 July – was seen as valid by the F1’s Contract Recognition Board, for Alpine’s management it is very much back to the drawing board.

Lando Norris has warned Lewis Hamilton that an “unstoppable” Max Verstappen is coming for the British driver’s records. Verstappen heads into his home race at Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort with a commanding 93-point title lead as he closes in on his second championship triumph in as many years.

The Dutch driver’s victory last time out in Belgium took him to 29 career victories, just three short of Fernando Alonso, placing him eighth on the all-time list. Hamilton holds the record of most wins (103) and, alongside Michael Schumacher, has been crowned champion of the world on seven occasions.

But Norris believes Verstappen, in his dominant Red Bull machine, could reach 70 wins within two seasons, leaving just Hamilton and Schumacher (91) ahead of a driver who has not yet celebrated his 25th birthday.

“If Max has two seasons like this, he can get another 30 to 40 wins in the next year-and-a-half to two years, and then he is up to 70 already, so he could quite possibly (beat Hamilton’s records),” said Norris.

Charles Leclerc stays quickest in FP3 but the top-three places are filled by the top-three teams – exciting ahead of qualifying this afternoon!

George Russell is second, a tenth off Leclerc, with Verstappen third – 0.161 seconds off Leclerc.

Sainz 4th, Hamilton 5th, Perez 6th. Fernando Alonso the best of the rest in seventh, with another world champion Sebastian Vettel in eighth.

Schumacher 9th, Norris 10th – all within a second off top spot!

All change at the top of the standings as drivers pump in their final hot laps in this practice session – Charles Leclerc is on top spot, less than a tenth quicker than George Russell in second.

Carlos Sainz is third with Lewis Hamilton fourth, half-a-second off Leclerc. Verstappen is down in sixth, but has just come out of the pits as he looks to beat Leclerc’s time…

Surprise names in the top-10? Both Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll in their Aston Martins, with the Wiliams of Alex Albon 10th, just over a second off the pace from Leclerc.

Charles Leclerc has taken second spot away from George Russell, going within five-tenths of Verstappen who is still out in front. Lewis Hamilton also pops a good time, going third-fastest – six-tenths off Verstappen.

Meanwhile, a long conversation in the pit lane has just finished between Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem, taking place notably in the full glare of the pit lane amid a Formula 1 session. Wonder what that’s about…

Most cars have now switched to medium tryes as they trial some race runs.