Lando Norris Stuns Home Favorite Max Verstappen To Win Dutch GP

McLaren driver Lando Norris reigned supreme over home superstar Max Verstappen to clinch the victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. This was his second career win, and second triumph of the season adding to his Miami Grand Prix victory earlier. 

Lando Norris outclassed Verstappen by over 22 seconds at Zandvoort to achieve the Dutch GP victory. With this the Brit handed home favorite Verstappen the first-ever defeat of the season in his backyard with more than 100,000 mostly orange-shirted fans rooting for Red Bull’s championship leader.

Lando Norris Gives A Fightback 

The McLaren driver’s showed exceptional performance after having a poor start. The 28-year-old started from pole position but was not able to convert it into a big advantage as he lost the lead on the opening lap. Despite the early hiccups,  Norris displayed his racing prowess with an early race overtake that proved decisive. This strategic acumen allowed him to regain control of the contest, ultimately leading him to secure a convincing victory.

 

Norris made a thumping comeback and with Verstappen facing challenges in his mid-stint, the Brit went past the Dutchman to take the lead. Norris did not lose his lead on track and the only time he lost his place was when he made a pitstop. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri took the lead in the race but could not sustain longer. Norris made his way back to the lead after Piastri went to the pit and there was no looking back thereafter.

Norris achieved the chequered flag with a huge gap of 22.896 seconds ahead of Verstappen, the biggest margin so far this year.  However, it is still a great distance behind the triple-world champion with nine races remaining in the season.

On being asked about the title victory at the Dutch GP, Norris said, “I’ve been working hard the whole year and I’m still 70 points behind Max. So it’s pretty stupid to think of anything at the minute. I just take one race at a time and just keep doing what I’m doing now because there’s no point to think ahead and think of the rest.”

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This was the first time since 2012 that a McLaren driver won an F1 race after starting on the pole position. The last time a McLaren driver achieved a victory from pole was Lewis Hamilton, who claimed the Italian GP 12 years ago.

Lando Norris also took home the extra point for the fastest lap to take the full 26 points in the offing. Verstappen returned home placed second and took 18 points. The Dutch now owns 295 points and lead Norris in the championship standings by 70 points.