McLaren's British driver Lando Norris celebrates during the podium ceremony after winning the F1 Dutch Grand Prix at the Zandvoort Circuit, in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, August 25, 2024. /CFP
McLaren's Lando Norris put an end to Max Verstappen's unbeaten home record with a commanding Dutch Grand Prix victory, and second win of his Formula One career, to breathe new life into the championship chase on Sunday.
Red Bull's three-time world champion Verstappen finished 22.896 seconds behind, after seizing the lead at the start but being passed on the 18th of 72 laps, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc crossing the line in third place after starting sixth.
It was the first time since the event returned to the calendar in 2021 that Verstappen had not triumphed at Zandvoort, and the once-dominant driver's losing streak this season has now reached five races.
His lead over Norris was cut to 70 points after the 15th of a record 24 races this season, with McLaren also trimming Red Bull's increasingly vulnerable advantage in the constructors' championship to 30.
"It feels amazing. I wouldn't say a perfect race, because of lap one again, but afterwards it was beautiful. The pace was very strong, the car was unbelievable," said Norris, who earned his first win in Miami in May.
"I could push and get past Max, which was the main thing, and just go from there. So quite a straightforward race. Still tough but very enjoyable."
Norris had started on pole position for the fourth time in his career. Sunday's race on the breezy Dutch coast, in front of his rival's "Orange Army" of fans, marked the first time he had converted the advantage into a victory.
"Simply lovely," he said provocatively over the radio, using Verstappen's usual catchphrase.
Red Bull Racing's home favorite Max Verstappen leads the field after the start of the F1 Dutch Grand Prix at the Zandvoort Circuit, in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, August 25, 2024. /CFP
It appeared at the start that he might have thrown it away once again, as the 24-year-old Briton got off to a sluggish start with wheelspin off the line while Verstappen pulled away smoothly to lead into turn one.
The upgraded McLaren clearly had the pace as well as the drag reduction system (DRS) advantage, however, and after one probing attempt on lap 17, Norris passed Verstappen down the inside at the "Tarzan" turn one and pulled steadily away.
Such was McLaren's confidence that Norris's race engineer told him not to worry about Verstappen potentially seeking an "undercut" by pitting first and then using the fresh tyres to get ahead.
"From probably lap five, six, seven, I expected Max to start pushing and get a bit of a gap, and he never did," said Norris. "So from that point, I knew we were in with a good fight."
Norris also claimed a bonus point for fastest lap with a final flourish and was voted Driver of the Day by fans.
McLaren have now won three races this season, their biggest haul since 2012.
"You always hope to do better. We had a good start and tried everything we could, but it was clear we were not quick enough," said Verstappen.
Leclerc spent 27 laps fending off McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who had a long first stint and was passed at the start by Mercedes driver George Russell, with Ferrari's welcome improvement taking the man from Monaco by surprise ahead of the team's home Italian race next weekend.
"Yesterday, we've been struggling like crazy. Today, we were strong," he said.
"I think as much as we analyze every bad surprise we have during a season, we also need to understand when we do something good. For now, I don't think as a team we have the explanation," added Leclerc.
Norris's teammate Piastri placed fourth ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. - who started 11th - and Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who rounded out the top six.
The Mercedes pair of Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and eighth, with Alpine's Pierre Gasly ninth - and lapped - and Fernando Alonso taking the final point for Aston Martin.