George Russell controlled the Zandvoort Sprint from lights to flag, converting pole into his third Sprint victory and giving Mercedes momentum heading into Sunday's main event. The Briton gapped Lando Norris early and held a comfortable cushion even as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc closed and eventually swept past the McLaren driver on Lap 18 for second. Norris hung on for third, barely holding off Kimi Antonelli's late charge by three-tenths.
Oscar Piastri crossed fifth after fending off Max Verstappen's Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton salvaged seventh for Ferrari. Haas managed only 14th and 15th with Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman, a quiet run for the American squad on a day when the top three teams dominated. Rain arrived just as Russell took the flag, setting up a potentially chaotic qualifying session later Saturday. With Antonelli showing serious pace from fifth on the grid, Mercedes suddenly looks dangerous heading into race day.
Read the full story at formula1.com
