McLaren’s Lando Norris ended Max Verstappen’s unbeaten home record with a commanding Dutch Grand Prix victory and second win of his Formula One career to breathe new life into the championship on Sunday.

Red Bull’s triple world champion finished 22.896 seconds behind, after seizing the lead at the start but being passed on the 18th of 72 laps, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc taking the chequered flag in third place.

It was the first time since the race returned to the calendar in 2021 that Verstappen had not triumphed at Zandvoort and extended his losing streak this season to five races.

His lead over Norris was cut to 70 points after 15 of a record 24 rounds, with McLaren also cutting Red Bull’s increasingly vulnerable advantage in the constructors’ championship to 30.

“It feels amazing. I wouldn’t say a perfect race because of lap one again, but it was still beautiful.

“The pace was strong, the car was unbelievable,” said Norris, who took his first win in Miami in May.

“I could push and get past Max. It was a straightforward race. Tough but enjoyable.”

Norris had started on pole position for the fourth time in his career and Sunday’s race on the breezy Dutch coast, in front of his rival’s Orange Army of fans, was the first time he had converted the advantage into victory.

It looked at the start that he might have thrown it away once again, the 24-year-old Briton making a sluggish start off the line as Verstappen hit the throttle and led decisively into turn one.

The McLaren clearly had the pace as well as the drag reduction (DRS) advantage, however, and after one probing attempt on lap 17, Norris
went past down the inside at turn one and pulled steadily away.

Norris also took a bonus point for the fastest lap with a final flourish and was voted Driver of the Day by fans.

“You always hope to do better. We had a good start and tried everything we could but it was clear we were not quick enough,” said Verstappen.

Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri was fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez sixth.

Sargeant in trouble

Formula 1 driver Logan Sargeant may lose his spot on the Williams Racing team following a major crash on Saturday at Zandvoort during Free Practice 3 of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Driving in damp conditions, Sargeant crashed into the wall at Turn 4, sending the rear of his newly upgraded car up in flames. Sargeant was fine following the accident, but the incident prolonged what has been a futile second season for the 23-year-old American.

He has zero points and has failed to help Alex Albon qualify for a grand prix.

“A hundred people worked on our big upgrade for weeks and worked their fingers sore so that we could use two cars with the new parts,” Williams principal James Vowles said. “And then everything was ruined within a second. It was an unnecessary accident. In the third practice session in the rain, you’re not taking full risk.”