ZANDVOORT: Dutch Grand Prix report

Lando Norris wins a dramatic Dutch Grand Prix, crossing the line ahead of Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. This is his second consecutive win of the season, as he won the Hungarian Grand Prix heading into the summer shutdown.

Norris claimed his second victory of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Norris initially lead from pole position at the start but the race was stopped one lap later when home hero Max Verstappen lost the rear of his Red Bull in turn 14 and headed straight for the wall. Fortunately the Dutchman was ok, if only his car could say the same thing.

Verstappen's car was left a bit worse for wear following a massive impact on the opening lap.

After the red flag there was yet another standing start, Norris once again lining up on pole but this time with Antonelli next to him as he had managed to get past Russell on the start last time around. Antonelli got off the line well and managed to get past Norris into turn 1. Norris only regained his lead in the final third of the race.

A late Virtual Safety Car was called due to Esteban Ocon stopping on track just after turn 3. Antonelli, Hamilton and Leclerc all pitted under the VSC. This all lined up for a potential chase to the end as Russell and Norris ahead had not pitted for fresh tires and this offset could be detrimental.

When it came to it, Mercedes opted to switch their cars using team orders to release Kimi Antonelli into second to try and chase after Norris. This is a sensible option from the team as the cars were using different strategies and there would have been no point in allowing them to fight as they would have just lost time, which would not be ideal with the fast approaching Ferrari’s of Hamilton and Leclerc behind.

The moment Mercedes swapped their cars into turn 1. Russell has later commented that the swap was "the right decision".

The Ferrari’s would have to settle for 4^th and 5^th, as another VSC thwarted Hamilton’s attack on Russell. The two Williams drivers Albon and Sainz collided with each other in turn one resulting in debris on the track. Once it went green again Hamilton and Leclerc just did not have enough laps to get past.

McLaren’s other driver Oscar Piasri claimed 6^th, which is a disappointing result considering his teammate went on to win by 11.536 seconds. The sole remaining Red Bull, Liam Lawson, claimed 7^th. He held onto his position despite a 10 second penalty for a yellow flag infringement.

Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg scored his first points of the season in Hungary and added to his season tally by finishing in 8^th meanwhile Fernando Alonso grabbed 9^th for Aston Martin on this weekend they brought engine upgrades. Rounding out the points was Pierre Gasly in 10^th.

Racing Bulls stand in, Yuki Tsunoda claimed 11^th and just narrowly missed out on a point but he remained ahead of the other RB driver Arvid Lindblad who crossed the line in 12^th. Gabriel Bortoleto recovered to 13^th after his early spin in the race. Franco Colapinto, Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz round of the finishers of the race.

The other Williams driver Alex Albon had to retire in the closing laps of the race due to the contact with Sainz. He was not the only retirement as he joined Haas pair Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas, Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, and home hero Max Verstappen in the list of non finishers.

Drivers Standings Following The Dutch Grand Prix (top 10):

Constructors Standings Following the Dutch Grand Prix: