Dutch F1 Grand Prix: What is the Updated Starting Order of the Grid After Perez’s Penalty?

F1 managed to deliver an exhilarating qualifying session at the Dutch Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen raced his way to pole position, with Lewis Hamilton just 0.038s behind.

Interestingly, the battle wasn’t only subjected to the front-runners, but also to the entire mid-field pack, with roughly 0.7s separating Pierre Gasly in P4 and Daniel Ricciardo in P10.

Also, certain drivers including Lando Norris, Sergio Perez, and Sebastian Vettel are out of position, which could well script an interesting race at Zandvoort. Hence, amidst what could be a nail-biting afternoon for the entire F1 community, take a look at the starting grid for Sunday’s race.

Top 10 F1 grid for Dutch GP

Verstappen will start on pole ahead of Hamilton, taking the viewers down the memory lane to Silverstone. And behind the title duo, Valtteri Bottas will hold on to P3, with Pierre Gasly pulling off a shocker to hand AlphaTauri a dominant P4.

Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 4, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during qualifying REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Ferrari F1 duo, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, will lock out the 3rd row ahead of Antonio Giovinazzi, who equaled his best-ever qualifying session in F1 by claiming P7. Esteban Ocon and his teammate, Fernando Alonso will start from P8 and P9, respectively.

And ultimately, Daniel Ricciardo will be starting the race from P10. It could well be a tough afternoon for the Alpine duo and Ricciardo, as the drivers outside the top 10 will have a major tire advantage as opposed to the trio’s used soft tires.

Rest of the grid

George Russell managed to secure a highly advantageous P11 for Williams and could well secure his 3rd consecutive top-10 finish this season. Lance Stroll will be starting from P12 ahead of Lando Norris in P13, who struggled through the entire afternoon.

Another strong showing from Nicholas Latifi will slot him in P14, but there is uncertainty over his grid position following the high-speed crash in qualifying. Yuki Tsunoda endured yet another disappointing qualifying outing and will start from P15.

Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 4, 2021 McLaren’s Lando Norris during qualifying REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Sebastian Vettel caught himself in traffic amidst squabbling Haas duo and failed to qualify into Q2. Hence, the German will start from P16 ahead of the Kimi Raikkonen replacement, Robert Kubica. Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin escape penalties for impeding the Aston Martin driver and will start from P18 and P19, respectively.

And finally, Sergio Perez, after qualifying P16 and taking up a tactical engine change, will start from last on the grid. This sums up the grid for Sunday’s race, and it looks juicy enough to offer the fans more than enough on-track action, but who is going to claim that crucial victory?

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