Russell Takes Sprint Pole at Dutch GP, Bortoleto Ninth
Listen to the story
George Russell has taken pole position for the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix, according to a report from ge.globo.
Pole position means Russell will start at the front of the sprint race grid.
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto qualified in ninth place for the sprint session.
Bortoleto is a rookie driver competing in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Before sprint qualifying took place, there was a single practice session for the weekend.
Kimi Antonelli led that practice session, setting the fastest time.
Bortoleto also finished in the top 10 during the practice session.
The Dutch Grand Prix is held at the Zandvoort circuit, known for its banked corners.
The sprint weekend format includes only one practice session, unlike a normal race weekend.
This means drivers have less time to prepare before qualifying.
Fans have been able to watch the sprint qualifying and the sprint race itself on Saturday.
The starting grid for the sprint race has now been set based on qualifying results.
The full Grand Prix race will follow later in the weekend, with a separate qualifying session deciding that grid.
Sprint races award points to the top eight finishers, though fewer than the main race.
Vocabulary7 words
- pole
- the best, first starting place in a race
- sprint
- a short race held before the main race
- qualifying
- a session where drivers set times to fix starting order
- practice session
- time for drivers to test the car before racing
- grid
- the starting order of cars on the track
- rookie
- a driver who is new to the sport
- circuit
- the racetrack where a race is held
Quiz
Answer key
1. He got pole position 2. Ninth 3. One
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
George Russell has taken _____ position for the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Pole position means Russell will start at the front of the sprint race _____.
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto qualified in _____ place for the sprint session.
Bortoleto is a _____ driver competing in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Before sprint _____ took place, there was a single practice session for the weekend.
Kimi Antonelli led that practice _____, setting the fastest time.
The Dutch Grand Prix is held at the Zandvoort _____, known for its banked corners.
The sprint weekend format includes only one practice session, unlike a normal race _____.
Fans have been able to watch the sprint qualifying and the sprint race itself on _____.
Sprint races award _____ to the top eight finishers, though fewer than the main race.
Discussion questions
- What is the difference between a sprint race and a normal Grand Prix race?
- Why might having only one practice session make qualifying harder for drivers?
- Do you think it is important for new drivers like Bortoleto to finish in the top 10? Why?
- Would you like to watch a sprint qualifying session? Why or why not?