Lando Norris set the pace in the first practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing 0.292 seconds ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. The session, marked by unexpected incidents, saw both Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen end up in the gravel.

Norris, who had narrowed Piastri's championship lead to nine points before the summer break, showcased his speed on the Zandvoort circuit. Meanwhile, Mercedes' young talent Antonelli beached his car early in the session, and four-time world champion Verstappen had a peculiar end to his run, entering the gravel after the chequered flag.

Other drivers also struggled with grip, including Yuki Tsunoda, who spun off track, prompting a red flag. Lewis Hamilton, aiming to reignite his passion for racing with Ferrari, faced an early setback as he spun within the first 10 minutes of the session.

Ferrari's struggles were evident, with Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc finishing 14th and 15th, respectively. Leclerc expressed frustration over the team radio, acknowledging the significant gap to the leaders.

Williams' Alex Albon impressed with a fifth-place finish, while Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso secured third and fourth. Verstappen, despite his late gravel incident, managed sixth, leaving the Dutch fans with mixed emotions.

This session sets the stage for an exciting weekend at Zandvoort, with Norris and McLaren looking strong, while others aim to overcome their early challenges.