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Norris wins Dutch Grand Prix after Zandvoort thriller
Lando Norris secured back-to-back victories at Zandvoort following a strategic battle and a late race charge past Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-23 15:31:02.000 - 2 min read
Lando Norris claimed his second consecutive victory of the 2026 season with a commanding drive at the Dutch Grand Prix, overcoming a chaotic opening phase and a mid-race challenge from Mercedes. The race began under immediate drama when a wet patch on the final banked corner caught out Max Verstappen on the opening lap, sending the Red Bull driver into the barriers and forcing a red flag that ended his final home appearance prematurely.
At the restart, Andrea Kimi Antonelli seized the initiative by slipping past pole-sitter Norris into Turn 1. Mercedes dictated the early pace as Antonelli built a solid advantage, while strategy calls and tyre degradation shuffled the chasing order behind him. Ferrari found itself embroiled in internal friction as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton squabbled over positions and pit timing, with Hamilton voicing clear frustration over team radio regarding lost time.
McLaren responded by extending Norris's second stint on hard tyres, giving him fresher rubber for the closing stages. Antonelli struggled with rear tyre wear as the grand prix entered its final quarter, allowing Norris to close the gap rapidly. When Hamilton briefly delayed Antonelli on track, Norris pounced, executing a decisive move to reclaim the lead before a Virtual Safety Car deployment bunched the field.
In the closing laps, Mercedes instructed George Russell to yield second position to his teammate Antonelli to aid his pursuit of the leader. However, Norris maintained a comfortable cushion to the chequered flag, ultimately crossing the line eleven seconds clear. Antonelli held on to secure second place ahead of Russell, rounding out the Zandvoort podium after a race defined by variable weather, strategic shifts and intense tyre management.