By DCB Editorial, August 25, 2024
In a somewhat ironic twist of fate, Lando Norris dominated the Dutch GP and delivered a crushing victory reminiscent of Red Bull’s dominance, specifically over Max Verstappen. Whether Norris’s commanding performance was due to track-specific advantages, a recent upgrade or a combination of the two, it’s clear that a high-calibre driver is essential to consistently capitalise on such improvements and defeating the competition as decisively as Norris did.
Has Norris raised his level, or was this a rare one-off race? Time will tell.
In the end, Lando Norris delivered a dominant performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, overcoming an early setback to claim a decisive victory ahead of Max Verstappen and the rest of the field. Despite losing the lead at the start due to excessive wheelspin, Norris quickly reasserted his control, making his McLaren the car to beat.
The young Briton, who has faced challenges with race starts in recent outings, swiftly recovered and retook the lead from Verstappen on lap 18, just before the pit stops. From that point on, Norris extended his advantage, cruising to a comfortable victory and underlining the impressive pace of his McLaren.
Charles Leclerc secured the final spot on the podium, fending off a late charge from Oscar Piastri in the closing laps. Verstappen, meanwhile, appeared to sense the inevitable as the race slipped away from him even while he was still in the lead, highlighting Norris’s superior speed and control throughout the race.
This win, coming on the heels of a significant car upgrade, provides a much-needed boost for both Norris and the team, who have faced criticism for missed opportunities earlier in the season. Norris’s triumph at the Dutch Grand Prix, his first victory since Miami, could revitalise his and McLaren’s championship prospects.
Norris’s defeat of Red Bull has reduced Max Verstappen’s championship lead to 70 points with nine races still to go. While Verstappen maintains a substantial advantage, if Norris can sustain the form he displayed at the Dutch GP, he could close the gap and emerge as a genuine title contender.
The team’s resurgence raises hopes of securing their first constructors’ title in 26 years. In the constructors’ championship, McLaren narrowed the gap to just 31 points for Red Bull.
2024 Dutch GP: Race Results
1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:30:45.519 72 laps
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +22.896
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +25.439
4 Oscar Piastri McLaren +27.337
5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari +32.137
6 Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +39.542
7 George Russell Mercedes +44.617
8 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +49.599
9 Pierre Gasly Alpine +1L
10 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1L
11 Nico Hulkenberg Haas F1 Team +1L
12 Daniel Ricciardo RB +1L
13 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1L
14 Alexander Albon Williams +1L
15 Esteban Ocon Alpine +1L
16 Logan Sargeant Williams +1L
17 Yuki Tsunoda RB +1L
18 Kevin Magnussen Haas F1 Team +1L
19 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber +2L
20 Zhou Guanyu Kick Sauber +2
