McLaren’s Lando Norris broke Max Verstappen’s unbeaten run at the Dutch Grand Prix with a commanding victory on Sunday, securing his second career Formula One win and injecting fresh excitement into the championship.
Red Bull’s three-time world champion Verstappen finished 22.896 seconds behind Norris, having initially taken the lead at the start but losing it on the 18th of 72 laps. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third place.
The win marked the first time Verstappen has been defeated at Zandvoort since the race returned to the calendar in 2021, extending his current losing streak to five races. Verstappen’s lead over Norris in the drivers’ standings is now reduced to 70 points with 15 races completed out of a record 24 this season. McLaren also narrowed 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,” said Norris, who claimed his first win earlier this year in Miami. “I could push and get past Max. It was a straightforward race. Tough but enjoyable.”
Starting from pole position for the fourth time in his career, Norris managed to convert his advantage into a win for the first time. Despite a sluggish start that saw Verstappen lead into turn one, the McLaren’s pace, combined with the drag reduction system (DRS), allowed Norris to retake the lead on lap 18 and steadily pull away.
Norris also secured the bonus point for the fastest lap and was voted Driver of the Day by fans.
“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,” Verstappen admitted.
Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri finished fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took sixth place.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and eighth, respectively, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in ninth. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top 10 for Aston Martin, despite being lapped.
