In a stunning turn of events at the Dutch Grand Prix, Lando Norris of McLaren clinched a decisive victory, overcoming a poor start to dominate the race and secure his second win of the season. Despite losing the lead to Max Verstappen at the start, Norris showcased remarkable pace and determination, overtaking the Red Bull driver on lap 18 and never looking back.Norris crossed the finish line with a commanding lead of over 20 seconds, marking the largest winning margin of the season. This victory not only demonstrated McLaren’s improved performance but also narrowed Verstappen’s championship lead to 70 points, with McLaren now trailing Red Bull by just 30 points in the constructor’s standings.’Honestly, it was quite a straightforward race, still tough but very enjoyable,’ Norris commented after the race. ‘I could get comfortable, I could push and get past Max, which was the main thing, and just go from there’. The British driver also praised his team’s recent upgrades, stating, ‘The upgrades we brought have helped us every time. It’s not like we brought something and then questioned it. We brought it, and it did what it was supposed to do’.Verstappen, who finished second, acknowledged McLaren’s superior pace, saying, ‘We had a good start, which was lucky. Then I tried to drive my own race. I did that. This was my race. There was nothing more to it. I’m happy with P2 and hope everyone enjoyed it’. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari rounded out the podium in third place.This victory marks a significant shift in the 2024 Formula 1 season, breaking Verstappen’s three-year winning streak at his home Grand Prix. With nine races remaining, the championship battle has intensified, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season. The next round will take place at the iconic Monza circuit in Italy on September 1st, where McLaren will look to continue their momentum.
Key points
- Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix, his second victory of the season.
- Norris overtook Verstappen on lap 18 and won by over 20 seconds, the largest margin of the season.
- The victory narrows Verstappen’s championship lead to 70 points, with McLaren now 30 points behind Red Bull in the constructor’s standings.
- This win breaks Verstappen’s three-year winning streak at his home Grand Prix.
Contradictionsđź‘ľSome sources report the winning margin as 22 seconds, while others state it was 23 seconds.
This minor discrepancy doesn’t significantly affect the overall narrative.
