Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Max Verstappen on the latter’s home turf.
Despite Norris’s victory, which significantly challenged Red Bull’s dominance, he remains cautious about his championship prospects, acknowledging a 70-point deficit to Verstappen.
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, described Norris’s win as “alarming,” emphasizing concerns beyond just the constructors’ championship, where Red Bull’s lead was already under threat. Verstappen, who has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, echoed this sentiment, describing the recent races as “alarming” and acknowledging the need for improvement.
Norris’s win at Zandvoort was the second-most dominant of the year, trailing only Verstappen’s Bahrain victory. Norris and McLaren’s impressive performance was marked by a flawless race, where Norris not only overtook Verstappen with ease but also set the fastest lap, gaining an additional point. This victory helped Norris gain eight points on Verstappen, surpassing the 7.8 points per race needed to close the gap.
Despite his strong performance, Norris remained grounded. “I’ve been fighting for the championship since the first race of the year,” he said. “There’s no sudden decision to do better. I’m still 70 points behind Max, so it’s pretty stupid to think of anything at the minute.”
McLaren’s recent upgrades, although less significant than their Miami improvements, appear to have made a notable impact. Norris’s pole position was the largest margin of the season, highlighting the effectiveness of these upgrades. However, Norris acknowledged that while the car has been strong, the championship battle is far from over.
Red Bull, on the other hand, is facing challenges with their car’s performance. Verstappen noted issues with the car’s balance and performance, which have affected both qualifying and race pace. This difficulty contrasts with McLaren’s progress, as Red Bull continues to struggle with reliability and upgrades.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella pointed out that Zandvoort suited their car’s characteristics but cautioned that performance could vary on different tracks. McLaren’s start issues remain a concern, affecting both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri. Despite these challenges, McLaren’s ongoing upgrades and Norris’s exceptional driving have set the stage for a competitive end to the season.
As the championship battle intensifies, McLaren plans further upgrades and aims to maintain their strong performance. With races like Singapore on the horizon, where Red Bull has previously struggled, the title race remains wide open.
Reported By BBC Sports.
