Zandvoort, Netherlands, 23 August (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Lando Norris won the Dutch GP 2026 for McLaren on Sunday, finishing ahead of Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell after Max Verstappen’s home race ended on the opening lap. Norris started from pole, regained the lead after losing it following the restart and went on to take his second consecutive Formula One victory.
Norris crossed the line 11.536 seconds ahead of Antonelli, with Russell 15.906 seconds behind the winner in third. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth for Ferrari, while Oscar Piastri took sixth in the second McLaren.
Norris converts pole position into victory
Norris had put himself in the best possible position on Saturday by securing pole with a lap of 1min 11.163sec. Russell qualified second, just 0.102sec behind, with Antonelli third and Piastri fourth.
When the race began, Norris held the lead into the opening corner. Antonelli made a good start behind him and moved past Russell to take second place.
The early running was interrupted when Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull near the end of the first lap. The Dutch driver hit the barrier at the banked final corner, leaving debris on the circuit and bringing out the red flag.
Verstappen, who had started seventh, was able to climb out of the car unaided. The accident brought an early end to what was the four-time world champion’s final scheduled home Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Antonelli leads after the restart
Once the circuit had been cleared, the Grand Prix resumed with another standing start.
Antonelli made the better getaway this time and moved ahead of Norris at Turn 1. The Mercedes driver settled into the lead, but Norris remained close enough to keep the pressure on as the race developed.
Norris eventually found his opportunity and passed Antonelli around the outside of Turn 1 on lap 54. From there, the McLaren driver controlled the remaining laps and built enough of an advantage to secure victory.
The result continued Norris’s strong return from Formula One’s summer break. Having also won the previous race in Hungary, he left Zandvoort with back-to-back Grand Prix victories.
Antonelli strengthens championship position
Although Antonelli missed out on the race win, second place proved valuable for his championship campaign.
The 19-year-old Italian increased his drivers’ championship lead to 59 points. He now has 242 points, with Russell and Hamilton level behind him on 183.
Russell’s third place also completed a double podium for Mercedes. The Briton had won Saturday’s Sprint but was instructed to allow Antonelli through during the closing stages of Sunday’s Grand Prix as his team-mate chased Norris.
The Dutch GP 2026 therefore delivered useful results for both McLaren and Mercedes: Norris added another win to his season, while Antonelli left the Netherlands with a larger championship advantage.
Verstappen’s home race ends early
Verstappen had entered the weekend hoping for a strong result in front of his home supporters but had struggled for balance during qualifying and started from the fourth row.
His first-lap retirement meant he was unable to add to the three Dutch Grand Prix victories he secured after Zandvoort returned to the Formula One calendar in 2021.
The Dutchman was unhurt in Sunday’s accident. Pre-race rain had left the circuit difficult in places, with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto also spinning during the opening lap.
Zandvoort completes its final scheduled F1 weekend
Sunday’s race carried added significance because it was Zandvoort’s final scheduled Formula One Grand Prix.
The seaside circuit returned to the championship in 2021 after an absence of 36 years. Organisers announced in 2024 that the event would conclude after 2026 rather than seek another extension.
Nearly two million spectators attended the event during its modern five-year run, according to organisers cited by Reuters.
What happens next?
Formula One now turns its attention to the next round of the 2026 season, with Antonelli retaining a substantial advantage at the top of the drivers’ standings.
For Norris, consecutive victories have provided further momentum after the summer break. McLaren will look to carry that form into the remaining rounds, while Mercedes and Antonelli remain firmly focused on protecting their championship lead.
