Lando Norris wins Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort as Max Verstappen retires after lap-one crash

Early crash and red flag

Conditions at the Zandvoort circuit turned difficult before the start, with rain, gusty winds, and an ambient temperature of 16 degrees Celsius prompting an initial formation lap behind the safety car. Once the race began on damp tarmac, pole-sitter Lando Norris maintained his lead through the opening corners. Behind him, four-time world champion Max Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull in the banked corner leading onto the main straight and struck the barrier heavily, scattering debris across the track. Seconds later, Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto spun in the same area, with teammate Nico Hülkenberg narrowly steering clear of a second collision. The incidents prompted a red flag that stopped the race for approximately 30 minutes, with the restart delayed further after Oliver Bearman suffered an engine failure in his Haas. Verstappen, who had signed a Red Bull contract extension through 2030 three days earlier, emerged unhurt from his damaged car.

Everything is good, everything is okay. Maybe a bit too early on the throttle, but I saw a dry line, maybe I accelerated too early. I felt bad the whole week, I probably need a week like this.

Decisive overtakes on lap 54

When the race resumed with a standing restart, championship leader Kimi Antonelli attacked Norris immediately and seized the lead into turn one. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver controlled the pace for the next stint, maintaining the top spot through varying track conditions. Norris remained within striking distance and mounted his attack on lap 54 of 72, using fresher tyres to sweep past Antonelli. On that same lap, Norris closed down and passed Lewis Hamilton, whose alternative strategy on older Ferrari tyres left him vulnerable. Having regained first position, Norris pulled away to secure his second straight victory, following his win in Hungary before the summer break.

I am overjoyed. That was certainly one of my nicer victories.

Championship standings and midfield battles

Antonelli crossed the finish line in second place, holding off his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who completed the podium in third. Hamilton finished fourth in his Ferrari, while Hülkenberg drove from 13th on the grid to finish eighth, earning his second points finish of the season after battling Liam Lawson on laps 27 and 28. In the drivers' championship, Antonelli extended his tally to 242 points. Russell and Hamilton sit joint-second with a 59-point deficit to the Italian leader, while Norris holds fifth place with an 83-point deficit.

It was an intense race. I was sliding a lot.

The farewell to Zandvoort

The race marked the conclusion of Formula 1's tenure at Zandvoort after six editions since returning to the calendar in 2021. Dutch organisers chose not to extend their contract beyond 2026 due to financial risks, as the privately funded event operated without state subsidies and relied exclusively on ticket sales and commercial sponsorships. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended the weekend, watching marshals form a guard of honour during the driver parade. Formula 1 resumes in two weeks with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where qualifying takes place on 5 September ahead of the race on 6 September.