Norris storms to victory at Zandvoort

Lando Norris secured his second win of the season, winning by more than 20 seconds in Zandvoort to secure victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver overcame an early challenge from Max Verstappen, who had to settle for second at his home race, with Charles Leclerc completing the podium.

Both McLarens lost places off the grid as Verstappen immediately got ahead of Norris for the lead of the race, while George Russell jumped ahead of Oscar Piastri for third.

Carlos Sainz pulled off a couple of overtakes in the early stages of the race to move up to seventh, while Lewis Hamilton, following a disappointing qualifying followed by a penalty, had strong pace early on to climb up to 10th.

Norris kept close to the rear of Verstappen after falling behind the reigning champion, and as the Dutchman started to complain about his tyres, Norris found the pace to retake the lead.

Leclerc was the first of the front runners to pit, triggering Russell to come in on the following lap to ensure the Ferrari wouldn’t undercut, but a slow stop from Mercedes promoted Leclerc up the order.

Verstappen struggled for pace, dropping more than five seconds behind Norris, forcing Red Bull to bring the championship leader in for new tyres, while Norris continued at the front of the field.

McLaren brought Norris in on the following lap as Verstappen showed strong pace on his outlap, but the Briton’s advantage was enough that he came back out in front of the Red Bull.

Piastri was the last of the front runners to stop, rejoining in fifth but on fresher tyres than Russell and Leclerc ahead. The Australian’s newer tyres helped him get past Russell before looking ahead to Leclerc.

Leclerc continued to show strong pace in the Ferrari though to hold on for third, while Norris opened up a commanding lead at the front of the field as he comfortably secured the second win of his F1 career.

Provisional classification:

1 Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

6. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

7. George Russell (Mercedes)

8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

12. Daniel Ricciardo (VCARB)

13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

14. Alex Albon (Williams)

15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

16. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

17. Yuki Tsunoda (VCARB)

18. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

19. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

20. Guanyu Zhou (Sauber)