Dutch Grand Prix and Sprint round-up: Lando Norris wins at Zandvoort as Max Verstappen crashes out – while George Russell triumphs in shorter format

Lando Norris’ has returned from the F1 summer break in the same form as he was in before it: a grand prix winner following his triumph around Zandvoort.

The reigning F1 champion sealed back-to-back victories for the first time this season following his win at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

In an eventful race, it began with home favourite Max Verstappen crashing his Red Bull at high speed on the first lap to cause a red flag.

At the restart championship leader Kimi Antonelli beat Norris but the McLaren driver battled back to pass the Italian to win.

A late virtual safety car led to some team orders controversy at Mercedes as George Russell was ordered to let Antonelli past into second place, meaning he came third.

Russell held off the challenge of Lewis Hamilton who finished fourth with Charles Leclerc rounding out the top five.

Oscar Piastri (sixth), Liam Lawson (seventh), Nico Hulkenberg (eighth), Fernando Alonso (ninth) and Pierre Gasly (10th) completed those in the points.

The result leaves Antonelli with a 59-point championship lead over Russell, the gap unchanged from before the weekend.

Russell is on the same points as Hamilton, but classified ahead by virtue of his two wins to Hamilton’s one – meanwhile Norris is 83 points off the lead.

George Russell wins Dutch Grand Prix Sprint Race

Saturday’s race was a happier affair for Russell who won the Sprint around Zandvoort.

Having qualified on pole, the Brit led from start to finish as he Leclerc, Norris and Antonelli pulled away from the rest of the pack.

Ferrari’s Leclerc passed Norris with six laps to go – while the latter held off Antonelli to take third.

Piasri in fifth, Verstappen in sixth, Hamilton in seventh and Gasly in eighth rounded out those in the points.