JUST IN: Lando Norris Wins Dutch Grand Prix

Reigning world champion Lando Norris proved McLaren are back in the fight after claiming victory at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.

The pole sitter crossed the line an impressive 11.536 seconds ahead of title leader Kimi Antonelli, marking back-to-back wins for the Englishman in what was a chaotic race around Zandvoort.

George Russell managed to fend off Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages to take the final position on the podium in the other Mercedes.

Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five, over 17 seconds off the pace.

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Home hero Max Verstappen walked away after a huge crash on the final corner of the opening lap of the race before it was red flagged.

Norris, whose victory last time out at the Hungarian Grand Prix was the first of a difficult title defense, admitted he has not lost hope of retaining his crown despite a hefty deficit; Sunday’s win still leaves him 83 points behind Antonelli and in fourth place, but back in the title conversation.

But the manner of his win could raise belief, as Norris outgunned the Mercedes duo of Antonelli and Russell in both qualifying and the race in his upgraded McLaren.

Russell boosted his title hopes by clinching sprint race victory on Saturday but he was asked to allow Antonelli through in the closing stages of the grand prix. That left Russell and Hamilton tied at third in the title standings, 59 points behind Antonelli.

Heavy rain swept in 45 minutes before lights out in the seaside town, but the track was dry enough for the entire field to start on slick tires.

Norris started well, while Russell got an awful getaway from second, sliding out of his grid box, which allowed Antonelli to breeze past.

Verstappen was engaged in an elbows-out tussle with teammate for the weekend Liam Lawson during the opening exchanges, but having won that duel, his race soon came to a shuddering halt.

The four-time world champion, revered in these parts, appeared to dip a wheel onto the kerb on the inside of the 18-degree banked final bend before sliding across the track and thundering into the barriers.

His Red Bull wreckage bounced back across the track ahead of Pierre Gasly and Arvid Lindblad, while his left-rear tire flew off and went trundling away.

Verstappen confirmed he was OK as the race was red flagged, before saying on the radio: “Yeah that’s it. I’m sorry guys.”

Almost simultaneously, Gabriel Bortoleto spun, his tires throwing up a cloud of smoke through which teammate Nico Hülkenberg drove — narrowly avoiding a huge collision.

A delay of 30 minutes followed before Antonelli and Norris went wheel-to-wheel at Turn 1, Antonelli forcing his way past.

Russell was then caught out by a brave move from Oscar Piastri as the Australian dived up the inside to claim third.

Ferrari were engaged in a tense radio battle as Hamilton urged them to let him past Leclerc, while the team told him to pit. He was unhappy with that plan, ultimately pitting a lap later. “Great way of wasting time guys, good job,” Hamilton sarcastically said.

Norris made his final stop seven laps later than Antonelli in a bid to reel in the leader, and it was a perfect strategy call as he charged after the Italian, ultimately blasting past the outside of Turn 1 on Lap 54.

“I made it tough for myself today, but a good race,” said Norris. “Well fought. Probably one of my better wins. We had to fight for it.

“The pace was very strong and I managed things incredibly well today. Over the moon, very happy and nice to win the final race here in Zandvoort.”

ESPN