Norris knocks down the leader and Alonso signs a masterful comeback

Lando Norris signed a spectacular victory this Sunday in the F1 Dutch GPbeating the great dominators of the championship, Mercedes, in a beautiful duel, after a long fight with Kimi Antonelli that ended up being diluted. The current champion, against the World Cup leader and great contender to take the crown from him. This time, at his farewell to Zandvoort, the Briton sent him a clear message: he is going to continue fighting with everything in this second part of the course to keep his crown.

Lando Norris beat Kimi Antonelli (2nd) and Russell (3rd), with Hamilton 4th and Leclerc in 5th place in an appointment in which there was another hero: Fernando Alonso.

The man from Oviedo warned of the spectacular degradation of his car’s tires as a result of being able to use more aerodynamic grip and not so much of the wheels when they were worn. Thus, after being 18th on the grid, he was able to opt for a risky strategy, extending his two runs ad nauseam to make just one stop and finish 9th in the points. Simply sensational.

The man from Oviedo extended the life of the soft tire until 32 laps and did another 36 with the hard drive. He had to fight with an engine that still needs to be optimized in terms of drivability and that still lacks potential. He took out his claws and his ingenuity and talent to fight against cars with much more top speed on a straight line. For example, he overtook Alex Albon with a great attack on the inside when braking for Turn 1.

And with that old hard tire, it was able to withstand attacks from a car with newer wheels like the Alpine. He defended himself tooth and nail to achieve points that many saw as impossible. He achieved them.

“Great driving”he told her Adrian Newey on the radio, thanking him. “Wonderful car to drive. More to come,” Fernando responded.

Norris and McLaren, very strong message

In a race with a chaotic start due to an accident Verstappen in the first lap and a second start, and then, a very strategic event where the degradation and performance of the chosen tires would be key.

And there, Norris and McLaren painted their masterpiece after Lando seemed to lose his chances of winning in the second start. The Englishman defended himself well from pole in the initial start, with Kimi passing Russell to take second. And from that position, Antonelli attacked with everything in the second start to overcome Norris with better reflexes and a great interior.

Everything looked like a new celebration for the World Cup leader, a few days after celebrating his 20th birthday. Even more so when on lap 22, Norris did not try a different strategy than Kimi and both stopped at the same time. Lando was approaching Norris at that pit stop. QBut the different strategy would come at the second stop.

Norris decided to extend his second stint while Kimi put on hard tires. And there began the collapse of the leader. That tire didn’t work and leaked. Norris stopped further ahead, and with fresh tires, he ended up reaching Antonelli. Gone is that doubtful Lando who found it difficult to finish the job and advance at the decisive moment.

Lando didn’t think about it and hit Kimi with an ax as it hurts the most, from the outside. And right after, he wasted no time passing a Hamilton that he was first circumstantially because he had not stopped.

Then, a virtual safety car gave Kimi the opportunity to stop again to remove those tires. He lost position with Russell, but he would recover it to finish 2nd, minimizing losses against a Norris who gave a demonstration of great strength from a McLaren that only a day before had suffered with its degradation in the long run. McLaren corrected the car’s engine map and Norris finished with pole position. And a day later, he also nailed it in the race. Sensational.

Sainz, 16th and touch with his teammate

Carlos Sainz was 16th in a race in which, with an uncompetitive Williams, he never had a chance for points. The day did not end well for the Spaniard, who in a battle with his teammate Albon, blocked brakes and collided with Alexq, who had to abandon.

The man from Madrid received a 10-second penalty and finished 16th, although the result is the least important.