McLaren's Norris fastest in Dutch Grand Prix practice sessions

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands :McLaren's Lando Norris sounded a warning to teammate and Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri when the Briton topped the first and second Dutch Grand Prix practice sessions which were marred by crashes and red flags on Friday.

Piastri had been second-fastest in the first session (FP1) but the Australian was pipped to second place in FP2 by Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, with both drivers completing lap times within a tenth of a second of Norris.

The two McLaren drivers are separated by nine points in the championship battle with 10 races left.

George Russell was fourth-fastest for Mercedes while home favourite Max Verstappen improved one place on his sixth-fastest from FP1.

The second session began amid a light drizzle, although not enough for a switch to wet tyres.

But the session was red-flagged early on when Lance Stroll, who was third-fastest in FP1, locked up on the banked corner at turn three and crashed into the wall, severely damaging his car.

"Just a little lock-up and I was a passenger. One of those things," Stroll said. "We looked competitive throughout the day, so we are in a good spot and will see what we can do tomorrow."

MCLAREN FINED

The session also provided drama in the pit lane when Piastri, who was asked to go around his teammate, swerved back into the path of Russell. The pair nearly made contact as the Briton took evasive action when he braked.

Piastri was summoned by the stewards and the team were fined 5,000 euros ($5,853.50).

"I think he pulled in too early then pulled back out. A bit unfortunate," Russell said.

"It scared me a bit. When you're on track, you're ready for anything but when you're in the pit lane going relatively slow, you're chilling out then suddenly