2026 Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying Preview

James Punt has already posted an in-depth outright preview, see that here. Check out his 2026 Dutch GP sprint qualifying preview and tips below.

Sprint Qualifying

The only free practice session of the weekend was a dry one…just. It had rained before the session started and rained after it finished. The forecast is for the sprint qualifying to be dry with the chance of a shower down to 35%.

The main take from the practice session were that we have no clear favourite. Antonelli was fastest from Norris (+0.121), Russell (+0.125), Hamilton (+0.190), Leclerc (+0.289) and Piastri (+0.659). Red Bull had Verstappen back in 11th (+1.376) and Lawson 14th (+1.912).

Of interest was the pace of the two Audis. Hulkenberg was 7th (+0.835) and Bortoleto 9th (+1.043). They chose not to do any soft tyre runs so they have more pace to come and look good for a double Q3. The two Racing Bulls also didn’t use any soft tyres and Lindblad still made 10th place. Tsunoda was struggling back in 17th.

Traffic Issues

Norris’ quick time wasn’t the cleanest of runs. He encountered quite a bit of traffic, which he had to thread his way through. He had already aborted a quick run, so his tyres were three laps old when he set his time. Traffic is a problem on this narrow track and Q3 will be very congested at times.

It looks to be a fight between the two Mercedes, Norris and the two Ferraris.

Antonelli has qualified 2nd in the four previous sprint qualify sessions, Russell has had a couple of poles, with Norris and Hamilton one each. Antonelli has been the best in the sprint qualifying sessions, followed by Norris and Russell. I expect those three to be right in the mix again, but we also have to include the two Ferraris. Red Bull? Closer, but in the mix? I doubt it.

Qualifying has been dominated by McLaren here for the last two years, Norris on pole in 2024 and a McLaren 1-2 last year with Piastri leading Norris.

Sprint Qualifying Bets

2026 Dutch GP sprint qualifying Tip: 1 point Lando Norris to be fastest qualifier (sprint qualifying) @ 3.80 with Bresbet

There might be some each way value with Russell around the 9.00 – 10.00 mark, but all bar Bet365 are betting win only. Bresbet are going 3.25 for Russell to make the top 3, which is tempting, but I will stick with the selections made here.

2026 Dutch GP sprint qualifying Tip: 1 point both Audi’s to reach Q3 @ 2.75 with Unibet

2026 Dutch GP sprint qualifying Tip: 0.5 point Nico Hulkenberg to qualify in the top 6 @ 17.00 with Unibet, Bresbet

We also have our ante-post 1 point bet on Piastri to best Verstappen.

-JamesPunt