Norris praised as ‘World Champion level’ after back-to-back wins
Lando Norris has received commendation for his performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he secured his second consecutive Grand Prix victory. This win followed his success in Hungary, marking a significant turnaround for his team. Andrea Stella, his team principal, described Norris’s driving as being at the level of a Formula 1 World Champion.
During the race, he had to overtake Kimi Antonelli on track. Stella noted that Norris demonstrated strong pace on the hard compound tyre, which allowed him to catch and pass Antonelli. This move was executed while Lewis Hamilton was ahead, as Ferrari had not yet pitted Hamilton.
After taking the lead, Norris maintained his position, even lapping at the same times as Antonelli despite Antonelli making another pit stop for fresh rubber. Stella highlighted Norris’s ability to manage his tyres effectively, especially on a day when many other drivers faced difficulties. Stella also observed that Norris has shown continuous improvement, particularly since the beginning of the 2025 season, and appears to be getting stronger with each race.
Norris’s performance and team strategy
Norris’s victory at Zandvoort was his second in a row, benefiting from upgrades introduced by his team in Hungary. This marks a notable change from the start of the year, when the team was not on the podium and faced challenges at the China Grand Prix. Stella emphasized the team’s focus on maximizing performance one race at a time, rather than engaging in championship discussions.
The team principal mentioned that the upcoming race in Monza presents different demands compared to Zandvoort and Hungary. He indicated that confirming improvements in Monza would provide optimism for the rest of the season. Stella acknowledged that certain aspects, such as drag and braking, are not necessarily strong points for their car. However, he confirmed that the team can contend for victory on high downforce circuits with specific layouts.
An analysis of the Dutch Grand Prix performance noted Norris’s strong pace on hard tyres, which was crucial for his win. He was described as sharp in battle, seizing the opportunity to pass Antonelli. Norris was also considered the faster driver within his team during the weekend. Despite a “reasonable lap” in sprint qualifying that placed him behind George Russell, and a slip from second to third in the sprint race, his overall performance was deemed his best Grand Prix win.
Dutch Grand Prix race incidents
The Dutch Grand Prix was marked by an early incident involving Max Verstappen. Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, crashed on the first lap, bringing out a red flag and halting the race. He was running seventh when he lost control on a damp track, colliding with barriers. Verstappen confirmed he was unhurt and apologized to his team.
The crash caused a delay of approximately 30 minutes for debris clearance. Another incident occurred shortly after, with Gabriel Bortoleto spinning across the track, nearly leading to a collision with teammate Nico Hülkenberg. Hülkenberg managed to avoid a significant impact. Verstappen later attributed his crash to misjudging his speed on the damp surface.
Norris’s win in the chaotic race provided a boost for his title defence. He lost the lead to Antonelli. Norris then gradually closed the gap and made a decisive move on Antonelli on lap 54 of 72. He subsequently took the lead from Hamilton later that lap, securing his second consecutive victory. Antonelli finished second, followed by Russell in third, and Hamilton in fourth. Charles Leclerc placed fifth, with Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, Hülkenberg, Fernando Alonso, and Pierre Gasly completing the top ten.
Source: formula1.com
