Norris wins Zandvoort. McLaren's counter finally has a double.
23 August. Norris 2:04:44.859 from pole. Antonelli second, Russell third. Verstappen DNF at home.
| Pos | Driver | Gap / time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris McLaren | 2:04:44.859 |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | +11.536 |
| 3 | George Russell Mercedes | +15.906 |
1 Norris, 2 Antonelli +11.536, 3 Russell +15.906. Verstappen DNF.
Why this one matters: McLaren needed a stretch that looked like a challenge, not a cameo. Norris won Hungary on 26 July (1:39:56.180, Verstappen second, Antonelli third). He then won Zandvoort from pole in 2:04:44.859. Antonelli second, Russell third.
Max Verstappen did not finish his home race. ESPN's 2026 recap lists him DNF at Zandvoort. The orange crowd did not get the story it came for. It got a McLaren one.
Antonelli still left the Netherlands with the championship lead. Two weeks later he would win Monza from 19th. The counter was real. So was the leader.
The stakes
A McLaren double after the summer break, and a home DNF for Verstappen.
The rivalry angle
Norris on a heater versus a Mercedes 2-3.
Players who could decide it
Pole and win at Zandvoort.
Second, lead intact.
Did you know?
- !Norris won Hungary and the Netherlands back to back.
- !Dutch GP time 2:04:44.859.
- !Verstappen DNF at Zandvoort.
Sources
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