What the teams said – Race day in the Netherlands
Lando Norris won the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, extending his title challenge after overcoming early struggles and a late safety car. Mercedes secured a double podium, while Oscar Piastri finished sixth after a slow pit stop.
Lando Norris claimed victory at the final Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, strengthening his championship bid after a hard-fought race. He overtook Antonelli on fresh tyres during a late safety car period and held off Mercedes to win by over 11 seconds. Norris admitted early struggles on soft tyres but praised the team’s strategy and hard tyre performance. He acknowledged remaining weaknesses but vowed to push for further improvements ahead of future races.
Oscar Piastri finished sixth after a strong start and an impressive overtake on Russell, but a slow pit stop dropped him behind the Mercedes. He struggled with grip on hard tyres and was passed by both Ferraris. Piastri’s race pace was competitive in the first and final stints, but the team will review the weekend to address the performance drop-off ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Mercedes secured a double podium with Antonelli finishing second and Russell third, though neither driver was satisfied with their pace. Antonelli led early but lost the lead to Norris after a late safety car pit stop. Russell recovered from a poor start to claim third, helping Mercedes extend their lead in the Constructors’ Championship. Both drivers highlighted the competitive field and the need for further car development.
McLaren celebrated Norris’s victory and Antonelli’s second-place finish, acknowledging the team’s progress but stressing the need for continued improvement. Piastri’s sixth place was attributed to a slow pit stop and tyre struggles. The team emphasized the tight championship fight and the importance of maximizing results race by race, with Monza next on the calendar as a critical test of their true potential.