Kimi Antonelli topped the sole practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, setting a 1m12.949s to lead McLaren's Lando Norris by 0.121s. The Mercedes driver was the only one to break into the 1m12s bracket as the championship leader extended his 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton.

Conditions evolved from damp to dry, with intermediates quickly replaced by slicks. Lap times tumbled throughout the hour, with Hamilton, Russell, and Leclerc all holding top spot temporarily. Antonelli survived a 360-degree spin at Turn 10, reporting "I don't know what the heck happened there."

Soft tyre runs in the final 10 minutes saw rapid improvements. Oscar Piastri briefly led before Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, and finally Antonelli exchanged the top position. Russell claimed third with 1m13.074s, just 0.004s behind Norris, while Hamilton was fourth.

The top three teams — Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren — occupied the first six places. Nico Hulkenberg impressed seventh for Audi. Red Bull struggled: Max Verstappen finished 11th citing downshift and oversteer issues, while Liam Lawson was 14th. Sprint qualifying follows Friday afternoon.