Lando Norris staged an impressive comeback at the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, shaking off a sluggish start to reclaim the lead from championship frontrunner Max Verstappen and secure a commanding victory. Despite losing his pole position advantage at the start, Norris demonstrated McLaren’s superior pace, eventually pulling away for his second career F1 win. Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium in third.
The race began with Norris surrendering the lead to Verstappen, continuing a pattern seen in his previous starts from pole position. However, McLaren’s upgraded MCL38 proved its mettle as Norris quickly closed the gap and overtook Verstappen on Lap 18, capitalizing on the Red Bull driver’s tire struggles. Once in the lead, Norris extended his advantage, showcasing McLaren’s dominance.
Behind the leading duo, George Russell initially moved up to third, displacing Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri, while Leclerc advanced to fourth, overtaking Sergio Perez’s Red Bull. The race saw various strategic moves, including early pit stops and attempts at undercuts, particularly by Ferrari and Mercedes, as they battled for track position.
As the race progressed, Norris’s pace remained unmatched, and Verstappen struggled to keep up, eventually finishing a distant second, 22 seconds behind the McLaren driver. Piastri, despite a strong effort, couldn’t close the gap to Leclerc and had to settle for fourth, while Sainz’s late-race charge saw him finish fifth after overtaking Perez.
Mercedes endured a challenging day, with Russell and Hamilton finishing seventh and eighth, respectively, unable to match the leading pace. Pierre Gasly managed to secure ninth for Alpine despite a slow pit stop, while Fernando Alonso completed the top ten for Aston Martin.
Norris’s victory at Zandvoort not only marked a significant achievement in his career but also ended Verstappen’s unbeaten streak at his home Grand Prix, underlining McLaren’s resurgence and potential for the remainder of the season.
