Zandvoort winner Lando Norris: “Victory thanks to a fierce battle with Hamilton”

That was world-class: Lando Norris wins what is, for the time being, the last Dutch Grand Prix, leaving the two Mercedes driven by Kimi Antonelli and George Russell behind him in the dunes by the North Sea.

This is the Briton’s 13th Grand Prix victory, his second of the 2026 Grand Prix season (following Hungary) and his second at the Zandvoort circuit after 2024. At the same time, this is his 48th podium finish in the premier class (the same number as Gerhard Berger).

Norris’s victory also marks the 205th Grand Prix win for his McLaren team, the sixth for the Papaya squad on the North Sea coast and the third in a row (following Norris in 2024 and Piastri in 2025).

Norris is visibly thrilled after his flawless drive and says: “What a race! I knew after qualifying that I’d have my work cut out to keep all the lads behind me, but it worked out. And we put on a good show for the Zandvoort crowd at this farewell event.”

“I made life a bit difficult for myself today, thinking back to my start. Still, I’d say this was one of my better wins because I had to fight hard for it and because I was able to set a good pace.”

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“I’m over the moon and proud to have won the final race at Zandvoort.”

“My battle with Hamilton was brilliant. I knew I wouldn’t get many chances, so I had to get past him as quickly as possible. I adjusted the brake balance and went straight for him. That move set me on the path to victory.”

“We’ve now won twice in a row, and that shows – this season is far from over. We’re on a roll and want to put in equally strong performances in the upcoming races.”

How the Dutch Grand Prix unfolded

Three-quarters of an hour before the start: a downpour, typical of Zandvoort, even though the forecast that morning had been for dry conditions – that’s how quickly things can change here on the North Sea coast.

The rain-hardened spectators stoically pulled their raincoats over their heads, knowing that rain showers here pass very quickly.

The track was particularly wet in the final section, especially around the fast final corner. The cars were skidding about quite a bit during the formation laps; Liam Lawson even slid off the track whilst on intermediates.

World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli: “The first part of the track was fine on slick tyres, but the second half is quite wet.”

Pirelli race director Dario Marrafuschi: “The problem is – yes, the track is wet, but in conditions like we’ve just had, intermediates would overheat beyond repair after two or three laps.”

Except that ‘just now’ is over in a flash at Zandvoort. A shower just 30 minutes before the start. Sky F1 expert Timo Glock: “The teams are now frantically deliberating – should they start on wet tyres or take a chance with slicks after all? Two minutes ago I would have said slicks, but now I’m leaning towards intermediates.”

The question now was: how quickly would the track dry out? Which tyres should they start on?

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer: “It’s hugely entertaining for the fans, but for a racing team it’s a nightmare. That’s because the rain mixes with the sand here, making it all very slippery.” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the conditions as a lottery.

And it was with these tyres that the front-runners lined up for what was, for the time being, the last Zandvoort Grand Prix: the top four (Norris, Russell, Antonelli and Piastri) on medium tyres, followed by Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen on soft Pirellis.

The FIA played it safe: a lap behind the safety car to allow all the drivers to get used to the conditions, with the sun already peeking through the clouds again.

Lando Norris got off to a good start from pole position, with Antonelli immediately overtaking Russell, followed by Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton and Verstappen.

Then, at the end of Lap 1, a massive crash – Verstappen out! Max had lost control of the car in the steep corner before the start-finish line, crashing first into the wall on the left, then on the right. Red flag.

“Ah, that’s it! Sorry,” croaked the Dutchman over the radio. “I’m okay.”

Further back, Gabriel Bortoleto spun out in the same corner, but the Audi driver managed to avoid hitting the wall.

Twenty-one drivers brought their cars back to the pits. The hard-working marshals began clearing the track of debris and removing the crashed cars.

The replay showed that, shortly after the start, Verstappen was already on the grass on the left, having been inadvertently forced off the track by Hamilton (who had to react to Leclerc’s move against Piastri), followed by contact between Max’s car and that of his RBR team-mate Lawson in the sharply banked Turn 3.

It looked as though, in the crash, Max had simply been a little too keen on the throttle and too far to the right; even outstanding drivers like Verstappen make mistakes from time to time.

At 3.33 pm, the race resumed: leader Norris was now on soft Pirelli tyres, Antonelli on medium, Russell too, Leclerc on soft, Piastri on hard, Hamilton on soft, and Lawson also on soft.

On the way to the starting grid, Bearman’s Haas car came to a standstill – it was all over for the Englishman, and the yellow flag was waved. Oliver on the radio: “Everything’s shut down here.”

So there was another warm-up lap, then on the next attempt: Norris got off to a good start, but Antonelli was immediately alongside him and took the lead! A brilliant manoeuvre by the championship leader. Further back, Russell lost a place to Piastri because the Englishman had taken his eye off the ball.

Standings on lap 5: Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton and Lawson, with Hülkenberg in P9 behind Gasly after a blistering start.

Russell, under pressure from Leclerc, complained over the radio about a lack of balance on the front axle.

Norris, chasing Antonelli, also made his presence felt: “I’ve got no more speed here, I’m giving it my all.”

At the end of lap 17, Russell pitted, clearing the way for Leclerc; the Mercedes driver switched to hard tyres. One lap later, McLaren brought Piastri in to pit, also for hard tyres, but it wasn’t a good stop by McLaren, so he was now back on track behind Russell.

The new order on lap 19 of 72: Antonelli, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, Lawson, Russell and Piastri; Hülkenberg also picked up fresh tyres and dropped back to P13.

At the end of lap 21, Antonelli, Norris and Leclerc were all in the pits, making Hamilton the new leader.

On lap 24, Hamilton also pitted, switching to hard tyres for the record-breaking champion; he returned to the track in sixth place, with Antonelli now back in the lead.

Hülki benefited from a mistake by Gasly, then, thanks to his soft tyres, overtook Lindblad on the outside at Turn 1, before Nico set off in pursuit of Sainz in P10.

Standings on lap 29: Antonelli, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton, Lawson, Alonso, Hülkenberg, Sainz.

On lap 34, Leclerc attacked McLaren driver Piastri, on the outside at Turn 1, then on the inside at Turn 2 – and squeezed past! The Monegasque driver was now fourth. Hamilton immediately stuck to Piastri like glue, looking to get past as well.

Hamilton overtook Piastri at Turn 1, meaning Piastri dropped two places in the space of a single lap.

The standings on lap 36 were therefore: Antonelli just ahead of Norris, Russell ahead of the advancing Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Lawson and Hülkenberg in P8.

At the end of lap 39: fresh tyres for leader Antonelli, putting 2024 Zandvoort winner Norris in the lead. Further back, Russell also pitted for fresh tyres.

Hamilton demanded over the radio: “I’m faster than Leclerc, my tyres are better.” Translation: Let me past Charles.

Ferrari wanted to bring Leclerc in, but Charles wasn’t keen; he stayed out for two laps longer than planned. Hamilton, fiery over the radio: “We’re just wasting time here!”

Then again: “What a fabulous way to squander time – great work, lads!”

Leader Norris pitted at the end of lap 46, so Hamilton took the lead, ahead of Antonelli, Norris, Russell and Leclerc, followed by Piastri, Lawson and Hülkenberg, still in P8.

By lap 52, the frontrunners were all bunched up: Hamilton was only just ahead of Antonelli, who had Norris hot on his heels. Lando didn’t hesitate – he overtook Kimi on the outside at the Tarzan corner, then closed in on Hamilton, who let his car slide slightly, putting Norris back in the lead. Shortly afterwards, Antonelli also overtook Hamilton.

Then came a virtual safety car period because Esteban Ocon’s Haas car had come to a halt at the side of the track.

Hamilton was not amused: “Are you using me as a guinea pig here or what? How much longer am I supposed to stay on the track?”

Naturally, Ferrari used the VSC phase to fit Lewis with soft Pirelli tyres. Behind him, Leclerc also pitted for fresh tyres. McLaren did the same with Piastri. One lap later, Mercedes did the same with Antonelli.

The new order after 57 laps: Norris ahead of Russell, then Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Lawson and Hülkenberg.

Norris asked whether they shouldn’t also use the VSC phase for a pit stop, but by then it was already too late – the lights had gone green. McLaren had opted not to make a stop, as had Mercedes with Russell.

Antonelli was closing in on Russell, and Mercedes asked for a position swap. Russell on the radio: “Can he win?” Russell let Kimi past, though he wasn’t happy about it. “We’ve lost a one-two here.”

Now Hamilton was also closing in on Russell, attacking in Turn 1, but Russell remained in front for the time being. Leclerc was also closing in from behind. But then another virtual safety car period was introduced due to debris on the track (following a collision between the two Williams cars). Hamilton’s attack thus came to nothing – which was exactly what Russell needed.

Victory for Norris, ahead of Antonelli, Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Lawson, Hülkenberg in P8, Alonso in the Aston Martin in P9 and Gasly in 10th place.