Lando Norris Dominates Dutch GP, Sparks Red Bull Concerns

Lando Norris described thoughts of winning the world championship as “pretty stupid” after his dominant victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. However, his performance on Max Verstappen’s home track has certainly raised concerns for Red Bull. Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko expressed alarm at Norris’ win, noting it as a significant worry for both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships.

Verstappen, who hasn’t won since the Spanish Grand Prix in June acknowledged the troubling trend, citing balance issues with his car and the need for improvements. Norris’ victory was notable for its commanding nature with only Verstappen’s Bahrain win earlier in the season being more dominant. Norris, despite a poor start swiftly overtook Verstappen and cruised to victory setting the fastest lap to secure an additional point.

This win allowed Lando Norris to close the gap to Verstappen by eight points, slightly more than the 7.8 points per race he needed to make up over the remaining season. McLaren’s performance upgrade, their first since May played a crucial role. Norris secured pole position with a significant margin and showcased impressive pace during the race. However, McLaren’s struggles with race starts persisted, affecting team-mate Oscar Piastri’s performance.

McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella highlighted that while Zandvoort suited their car, their performance may vary at different tracks. McLaren plans further upgrades to remain competitive. If Norris and Piastri continue to perform strongly and with Mercedes also in contention, Verstappen’s 70-point lead could be challenged. The return to Singapore where Red Bull previously struggled could offer more opportunities for McLaren to close the gap.