ZANDVOORT, Netherlands – McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed a significant victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking the end of Max Verstappen’s unbeaten streak at his home race. This win, the second of Norris’s Formula One career, revitalizes the championship race.
Verstappen, the three-time world champion from Red Bull, finished 22.896 seconds behind after initially taking the lead off the start but losing it on the 18th lap of the 72-lap race. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured third place.
This race was notable as it was the first time Verstappen did not win at Zandvoort since the event returned in 2021. His recent performance now extends to five consecutive races without a win, shrinking his lead over Norris to 70 points after 15 of 24 rounds. McLaren has also reduced Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship to 30 points.
“It feels amazing. I wouldn’t say a perfect race because of lap one again, but it was still beautiful. The pace was strong, the car was unbelievable,” Norris expressed, reflecting on his victory. This triumph follows his initial win in Miami earlier this season.
Starting from pole position for the fourth time in his career, Norris managed to convert this opportunity into a victory for the first time during a race on the breezy Dutch coast, which was filled with fans cheering for Verstappen.
Although Norris had a slow start, allowing Verstappen to take the lead, his McLaren had strong pace, and he regained the lead by overtaking Verstappen on lap 18. Norris also earned a bonus point for the fastest lap and was recognized as Driver of the Day by fans.
Verstappen commented, “You always hope to do better. We had a good start and tried everything we could, but it was clear we were not quick enough.”
Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, finished fourth, followed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in sixth. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton placed seventh and eighth, respectively, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly finishing ninth and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso rounding out the points in tenth place.