Norris beats Antonelli to claim final Dutch GP win

Lando Norris and McLaren produced a masterful strategic performance to beat Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and claim victory in a dramatic Dutch Grand Prix.

The race, the final edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, was interrupted by a red flag after Max Verstappen crashed on the opening lap, while a series of strategic battles and late virtual safety cars added further drama.

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Antonelli initially took control after the restart, but Norris used a different pit-stop strategy to build a tyre advantage before eventually passing the Mercedes driver and taking the lead.

George Russell completed the podium for Mercedes after team orders required him to allow Antonelli through, while Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and Charles Leclerc fifth.

Verstappen crash brings early chaos

The race began on a damp track following a late shower, creating difficult conditions for the drivers.

Norris started from pole position, but Antonelli quickly moved ahead of Russell and into second.

However, the race was stopped at the end of the opening lap after Verstappen suffered a heavy crash.

The Red Bull driver was running through the final corner when his inside wheels touched the wet painted line. He lost control of the rear of the car and was sent into the outside barrier.

Verstappen escaped unharmed and climbed from the car without assistance.

Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto also lost control during the opening lap but managed to spin without hitting anything and continued.

After the debris was cleared and the track dried, the race resumed.

Antonelli takes control

At the restart, Antonelli made an excellent getaway and passed Norris to take the lead.

With Mercedes looking strong, the Italian appeared to have control of the race.

Norris and Antonelli made their first pit stops together on lap 21, allowing Hamilton to take the lead temporarily by staying out for another four laps.

But Norris began to close the gap during the second stint.

Antonelli made his second stop on lap 40, while McLaren kept Norris out for another seven laps.

That strategy proved crucial.

When Norris finally stopped, he returned to the track just 4.8 seconds behind Antonelli, giving him fresher tyres for the crucial final phase.

Norris makes decisive move

By lap 52, Norris, Antonelli and Hamilton were running close together.

Two laps later, Antonelli attempted to pass Hamilton but could not complete the move.

That gave Norris an opportunity.

The McLaren driver went around the outside of Hamilton through the long, banked Tarzan corner and moved into position to challenge for the lead.

Hamilton then made a mistake through Turn 10, allowing Norris to get a strong run out of the corner.

Norris swept past the Ferrari on the outside and took the lead.

From there, he controlled the race and secured his second consecutive victory.

Mercedes team orders cause controversy

A late virtual safety car created further drama.

Esteban Ocon’s Haas stopped after Turn Three, prompting the VSC and allowing several drivers to make pit stops.

Antonelli, Hamilton and Leclerc all emerged behind Russell, who had stayed out.

Mercedes then instructed Russell to allow Antonelli past.

Russell was unhappy with the order because he believed Mercedes was putting his podium position at risk.

He warned the team that Hamilton could attack him for third place.

A second late VSC, with only two laps remaining, ultimately helped Russell.

The race resumed shortly afterwards, but Russell had created enough of a gap to hold onto third.

He finished ahead of Hamilton and Leclerc.

Alonso produces brilliant drive

Fernando Alonso delivered one of the drives of the race for Aston Martin.

The Spaniard started 18th but adopted an ambitious one-stop strategy, completing a 34-lap opening stint on soft tyres before switching to hard tyres.

Despite being chased by drivers on much fresher rubber, Alonso managed his pace expertly and finished ninth.

He held off Alpine’s Pierre Gasly by just over a second, while Yuki Tsunoda finished another 4.7 seconds behind.

The result gave Aston Martin their first points since the incident-filled Monaco Grand Prix.

Alonso’s performance also provided encouragement for Honda, which has introduced its new engine to Aston Martin.

Championship picture

Antonelli remains firmly in control of the championship.

The Italian’s lead over Russell remains at 59 points.

Russell and Hamilton are level on points, although Russell is classified ahead because he has two victories compared with Hamilton’s one.

Norris’ second consecutive victory has moved him to within 83 points of Antonelli, keeping his title hopes alive if McLaren can maintain its recent momentum.

Dutch GP result

Norris’ victory marks another major boost for McLaren as the championship enters its decisive phase, while Antonelli continues to hold the advantage at the top of the standings.