2026 Dutch Grand Prix Review: Norris Makes It Two in a Row

Lando Norris made it two wins in two races, taking pole at Zandvoort with a 1:11.163 and holding on through a race interrupted by a red flag and two virtual safety cars. McLaren's second half of the season had begun in earnest.

Kimi Antonelli finished second and George Russell third, keeping Mercedes on the podium on a weekend when very little went to plan.

Verstappen Out on Lap One, at Home

The race turned almost immediately. Max Verstappen lost control on the damp banking at the final corner on the opening lap and struck the barrier heavily, bringing out the red flag.

Retiring at Zandvoort in front of the orange grandstands is about as bad an afternoon as the calendar offers. The restart handed Norris a clean run at the front.

Seven Retirements and a Long List of Penalties

Zandvoort was attritional. Verstappen, Oliver Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz all failed to finish.

Sainz and Albon collided at turn five on lap 70, with Sainz taking a ten-second penalty. Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto were given drive-through penalties for overtaking under double yellow flags, and Liam Lawson took ten seconds for failing to slow under yellows.

Ferrari Hold Station

Lewis Hamilton took fourth and Charles Leclerc fifth, a solid rather than spectacular afternoon that kept Ferrari within reach in the constructors' championship.

Oscar Piastri finished sixth, and Fernando Alonso scored again for Aston Martin in ninth.

Championship Standings After Round 12

Antonelli led on 242 points. Russell and Hamilton were level on 183 apiece, with Russell ahead on countback, and Norris had climbed to 159 after his second consecutive win.

Mercedes led the constructors' championship on 425 points, from Ferrari on 338 and McLaren on 263.

Looking Ahead: Monza

Monza followed, and for Antonelli it carried rather more weight than the usual home race.

Carry the Grid With You

Every driver on the 2026 grid is available as original British-designed artwork, hand-illustrated and printed to order. Browse the F1 phone cases, F1 mugs, F1 iPad cases and F1 limited edition prints.