All the key moments from the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix
McLaren’s Lando Norris won the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, his second consecutive victory, while Mercedes secured a double podium with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli despite a late strategy gamble.
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Lando Norris claimed victory in the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, marking his second consecutive win and first of the 2026 season. The McLaren driver started from pole but lost the lead to Antonelli at the restart before reclaiming it late in the race. Norris finished over 11 seconds ahead of Antonelli, with Russell completing the podium in third. Norris downplayed title talk, emphasizing the need to maintain focus for the remaining races.
Mercedes executed a high-risk strategy that ultimately paid off, securing a double podium. Russell won the Sprint and finished second in the Grand Prix, while Antonelli briefly led before dropping to third. The team inverted their cars during a Virtual Safety Car phase to elevate Antonelli ahead of the Ferraris, a move Antonelli described as risky ahead of his home race at Monza.
Ferrari’s weekend began with optimism from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who praised the car’s suitability for Zandvoort. Leclerc finished second in the Sprint but struggled in the Grand Prix, finishing fifth. Hamilton, starting sixth, criticized team orders and strategy, questioning whether he was being used as a test subject. Ferrari’s mixed results left them frustrated despite Hamilton’s late charge to challenge for the final podium.
Max Verstappen’s home race ended in disappointment after a heavy crash on the opening lap. The Red Bull driver lost control in damp conditions and crashed into the barriers, forcing a red flag. Verstappen, who had signed a contract extension earlier in the week, called the round “disappointing” despite no injuries. His teammate Liam Lawson qualified eighth, but overtaking difficulties at Zandvoort prevented any significant progress for the team.