(Zandvoort) As usual, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished strong and earned the lead on Saturday ahead of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen won the distinction for the third year in a row.

“What a lap!” he said on the team radio, about his last lap. Good job guys. »

Clearly at the top of the drivers’ standings, Verstappen edged McLaren’s Lando Norris to a career-high 28th.

F1 champion for the past two years, Verstappen will be looking for a ninth victory in a row on Sunday.

That would equal a Sebastian Vettel mark set in 2013, with Red Bull.

“After my fifth win in a row, Seb texted me to tell me not to give up and that I’m going to get there,” Verstappen said. I didn’t even think I’d make it to eight. Nine would be really impressive. »

Verstappen already has 10 wins this year.

He triumphed pocketed the top position in the Netherlands in 2021 and 2022.

This time he will start ahead of Norris and George Russell of Mercedes.

Fourth place at the start will go to Alex Albon of Williams.

Fernando Alonso will start fifth with Aston Martin, ahead of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and Sergio Perez’s Red Bull.

Verstappen is in good shape to add to a cushion that is already 125 points ahead of Perez in the drivers standings.

Oscar Piastri will start eighth for McLaren.

The initial top 10 will be completed by Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and rookie Logan Sargeant of Williams.

Canadian Lance Stroll will start the race in 11th place, driving his Aston Martin.

“The car was doing well and it’s frustrating to have missed Q3 by so little,” said Stroll. I still believe that we will be in a good position for the race. The car is competitive and I was able to challenge it on an unobvious track. It was fun. »

It was a very bad day for seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who will start 13th.