2026 F1 Dutch Grand Prix Recap

By Ryan Wu

In what was the swan song for the Dutch Grand Prix, it’s fitting that a car draped with the iconic orange associated with the Netherlands won the race. Lando Norris won by a healthy 11s to fend off the pair of Mercedes Drivers to mark his second race win in a row. He was joined on the podium by Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, with the former now growing his Championship lead to 59 points with 11 races remaining. It was a critical race result for Russell as he is now level with former Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton at 183 points to secure a tie for second in the standings.

Finishing in the points for only the second time this season was also the veteran Fernando Alonso whose paltry haul of 3 points is somehow the only points the team has scored this season. Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll also made some unfortunate history this weekend as he became the first and only driver with 100 Q1 exits.

Race Recap

Norris started the race from pole and was immediately under pressure from Kimi Antonelli, who started third.  He quickly overtook Russell, who did not get away well. The race was quickly interrupted by a red flag when fan favorite Max Verstappen crashed on the second lap after going off track. Gabriel Bortoleto also spun on the home straight, with his teammate Nico Hulkenberg narrowly avoiding a collision. Oliver Bearman was unable to take part in the restart after an engine issue, joining Verstappen as one of the six drivers who ultimately failed to finish the race.

Once the race finally restarted, Antonelli passed Lando Norris to take the lead, making it look like another weekend that would be dominated by the young Italian. Oscar Piastri overtook Russell to move into third, but a slow pit stop on lap 19 allowed the British driver to undercut him and reclaim the final podium position.

Norris began closing in on Kimi Antonelli, who was running second, before overtaking Lewis Hamilton for the race lead on lap 54. Hamilton had yet to make his second pit stop at that point.

A virtual safety car was triggered when Esteban Ocon’s car stopped on track, allowing Antonelli to pit for soft tires. It was a major change in fortune for the Mercedes driver, as Russell had been gaining on him shortly before Norris took the lead. Antonelli had struggled on the hard tire which Russell enjoyed and the virtual safety car provided the opportunity Antonelli needed to change tires.

Mercedes switched the order on lap 66, with Antonelli significantly faster and eager to protect the team's double podium. The decision put Russell under intense pressure, however, as Lewis Hamilton spent the remaining six laps constantly attacking for third.

Russell ultimately held on to claim third by just over 0.8 seconds. After the race, he called the decision “the right decision,” while Antonelli admitted that “we put George at risk with having to let me by.”

Racing Refresh Driver of the Day

Lando Norris, McLaren

Final Points Finishing Positions

1st:  Lando Norris

2nd: Kimi Antonelli

3rd: George Russell

4th: Lewis Hamilton

5th: Charles Leclerc

6th: Oscar Piastri

7th: Liam Lawson

8th: Nico Hulkenberg

9th: Fernando Alonso

10th: Pierre Gasly

Next on the F1 Schedule:

Italian Grand Prix: September 4th-6th