Lando Norris secured his second consecutive Formula 1 win of the 2026 season at Zandvoort, outpacing Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by an 11.5‑second margin to extend his championship lead.
Zandvoort Shows McLaren’s Edge
McLaren’s recent aerodynamic updates gave Norris the advantage needed to overcome a chaotic race and beat the two Mercedes‑powered cars of Antonelli and George Russell, marking a clear shift in performance at the tight Dutch circuit.
Mercedes Faces Potential Crisis
Alex Brundle warned that Mercedes could be “in serious trouble” if McLaren’s form stays current into Monza. He cited the “energy‑starved” nature of circuits like Silverstone and Spa, where Mercedes had historically dominated, and noted that the effect “hasn’t gone away.” Brundle added that if McLaren can replicate its Monza‑capable package, a “major problem” could emerge for Mercedes.
Upgrade Race Intensifies
Former grid‑iron driver Jolyon Palmer said Mercedes are unlikely to worry over Norris until the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where their upgraded car is set to challenge the leaders. Palmer referenced the mid‑season upgrade that returned Mercedes from a deficit at Canada to the front of the pack, and he highlighted Baku as the “big chance” for the reigning champions.
Mercedes remain focused on Madrid and the unknown circuits to come, while McLaren looks to keep the momentum from Zandvoort rolling into the next rounds of the season.
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