Lando Norris delivered an outstanding performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, securing a commanding victory over Max Verstappen and rejuvenating his prospects in the drivers’ world championship with nine races remaining this season.
Norris, who started from pole, briefly lost the lead to Verstappen but reclaimed it on Verstappen’s home track, maintaining control for the rest of the race and finishing under a celebratory burst of fireworks.
Verstappen managed to secure second place, which helped mitigate the impact on his championship lead, while Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium in third place after a strong showing.
Reflecting on the race, Norris expressed his satisfaction in a post-race interview, noting the initial challenge but praising his car’s performance that allowed him to comfortably overtake and extend his lead over Verstappen. He described the race as relatively straightforward yet challenging, highlighting his enjoyment of the competition.
Despite a shaky start that saw Verstappen initially overtake him, Norris and his McLaren quickly regained the upper hand. He confidently passed Verstappen before the first round of pit stops and continued to extend his lead, eventually finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of the field.
This victory marked a significant reduction in Verstappen’s championship lead, which now stands at 70 points. Additionally, McLaren’s strong performance, with Oscar Piastri finishing fourth, allowed them to close the gap in the constructors’ championship to Red Bull by 31 points.
This race was notable for being the fifth consecutive grand prix not won by Verstappen this season, marking his longest winless streak since 2020.
Verstappen acknowledged the challenge in his own post-race interview, admitting the team did everything possible but simply lacked the speed to win, settling for second place.
Norris will have his next chance to further close the gap on Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix on September 1.
