F1 Dutch Grand Prix qualifying predictions: Carlos Sainz value for pole

Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix qualifying at Zandvoort.

Where to watch

Practice three Sky Sports F1, 11am
Qualifying Sky Sports F1, 3pm

Best bet

Carlos Sainz fastest qualifier
1pt 6-1 general

Preview

Max Verstappen scored an effortless victory in Belgium last week despite starting 13th on the grid, but the world champion might not have it so easy in this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

The home hero’s Red Bull ground to a halt less than ten minutes into first practice causing him to miss the rest of the session.

Verstappen was then only eighth in the afternoon hour, 0.7 seconds off leader Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari.

Friday results should not be considered a strict formguide, but Verstappen tends to be a lot closer to the front in practice and the fact his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was over a second off the front in 12th suggests the team are on the back foot.

It was tight at the top with Leclerc just 0.004 seconds clear of his teammate Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton also within a tenth of a second and Lando Norris an eye-catching fourth for McLaren.

George Russell had set the pace in the morning hour and the Mercedes driver ended the afternoon fifth after a mistake on his fastest lap.

Grid position is far more important at Zandvoort than it was at Spa last week as overtaking is much more difficult, and we could be in for a titanic battle in qualifying.

Verstappen and Red Bull are sure to hit back, but whether they’ll find enough time for the Dutchman to justify being favourite for pole has to be in doubt.

Leclerc already has seven poles to his name this season, but Sainz has been much closer of late and qualified ahead of the Monegasque in three of the last four Saturday sessions he has taken part in.

The Spaniard started on pole by default last week due to Verstappen’s grid penalty, but he is value to claim it by rights at Zandvoort.

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