The 2024 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort was nothing short of spectacular, with drama, triumph, and disappointment all packed into one thrilling weekend. As the Formula 1 circus returned to the Netherlands, Lando Norris stole the show with a dominant performance on Max Verstappen’s home turf. But while some walked away with smiles, others were left to rue missed opportunities. Let’s break down the five biggest winners and losers from this unforgettable race weekend.
Winner: Lando Norris
Lando Norris entered Zandvoort feeling he had not yet lived up to his championship potential this season, but he left with his head held high after delivering a masterclass in both qualifying and the race. Norris claimed pole position with a lap that was a staggering 0.356 seconds quicker than anyone else, setting the stage for his second career victory. Despite a less-than-ideal start, where he lost the lead into Turn 1, Norris showed resilience by reclaiming the top spot from Max Verstappen and pulling away to win by a comfortable 22.896 seconds.
Norris’ confidence was palpable, especially when he set the fastest lap of the race on old hard tires, earning an extra point and narrowing his championship deficit to Verstappen to just 70 points. With nine Grands Prix and three Sprints remaining, Norris has reignited the title fight.
Loser: Max Verstappen
For reigning world champion Max Verstappen, the Dutch Grand Prix was a bitter pill to swallow. His winless streak extended to five races, as he simply couldn’t match Norris and McLaren’s pace at his home event. Red Bull’s RB20, which had dominated earlier in the season, seemed to have lost its edge, leaving Verstappen to settle for second place—a rare sight for the Dutchman at Zandvoort, where he had previously triumphed in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Although Verstappen still holds a substantial lead in the championship standings, the manner of his defeat at home will be a cause for concern as the season heads into its critical final stretch.
Winner: McLaren
McLaren’s decision to bring their first major upgrade package since Miami paid off handsomely at Zandvoort. Norris’ pole position and commanding victory were the highlights, but Oscar Piastri’s fourth-place finish was equally impressive. Piastri, now the top scorer in the last five Grands Prix with 92 points, helped McLaren close the gap to Red Bull in the constructors’ championship to just 30 points.
With more upgrades on the way, McLaren is in a prime position to challenge for their first constructors’ title in over two decades, making them one of the biggest winners of the weekend.
Loser: Alex Albon
Alex Albon’s weekend started promisingly with a strong qualifying performance that saw him take P8—Williams’ best Saturday result of the year. However, his car was later disqualified for running an illegal floor, which was part of the team’s first significant upgrade of the season. Despite a solid start in the race, Albon could only manage a P14 finish, a far cry from the top-10 result he had hoped for.
The disqualification and subsequent race result were a huge disappointment for Albon and Williams, who believed they had a shot at securing points.
Winner: Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc was as surprised as anyone by Ferrari’s pace at Zandvoort, especially after a lackluster qualifying session. However, the Ferraris came alive on race day, with Leclerc taking full advantage to secure his second consecutive podium. A smart strategy call to attempt the undercut moved him into the podium positions, where he comfortably held off Piastri.
Leclerc’s performance kept him in third place in the drivers’ standings and provided a much-needed boost for Ferrari as they continue to fight at the front of the grid.
Loser: Mercedes
Mercedes arrived at Zandvoort in fine form, having won three of the last four Grands Prix. However, their pace in the Dutch Grand Prix was underwhelming. Lewis Hamilton failed to make it into Q3, and the team could only manage P7 and P8 in the race, leaving them as the fourth-best team on the day.
For a team that had shown so much promise in recent races, Zandvoort was a stark reminder that there is still work to be done if they are to challenge for wins consistently.
Winner: Ferrari
Ferrari had been struggling since Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco earlier in the season, and Zandvoort looked like it would be another difficult weekend. However, both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz delivered strong performances on race day, with Leclerc taking third place and Sainz finishing fifth.
This marked Ferrari’s best collective performance in several races, and with Sainz overcoming limited practice running due to bad weather and technical issues, it was a weekend full of positives for the Scuderia.
Loser: Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon had a weekend to forget at Zandvoort. Despite showing promise at the previous race in Spa, where he scored points, Ocon struggled with the car’s handling throughout the weekend in the Netherlands. He was eliminated in Q1 for the second consecutive year at Zandvoort and couldn’t make any significant progress in the race, finishing a disappointing 15th.
For a driver who has shown flashes of brilliance this season, Zandvoort was a stark reminder of the inconsistencies that have plagued Ocon’s campaign.
Winner: Pierre Gasly
While Esteban Ocon struggled, his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly shone. Gasly’s superb qualifying performance earned him 10th on the grid, and he backed it up with a strong race to finish ninth, securing valuable points for Alpine.
Gasly’s performance not only helped Alpine in their battle with Williams in the constructors’ championship but also highlighted his ability to deliver under pressure, making him one of the standout performers of the weekend.
Loser: Red Bull
Red Bull’s struggles at Zandvoort were a continuation of a worrying trend. After dominating the early part of the season, the team has lost ground in recent races. Verstappen’s second-place finish and Sergio Perez’s sixth-place result were not what the team had hoped for, especially at a track where they had previously been unbeatable.
In the last four races, Red Bull has scored fewer points than McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari, putting them under real pressure for the first time since 2021. With the season entering its final phase, Red Bull will need to find answers quickly if they are to maintain their grip on the championship.
FAQs
Lando Norris won the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, securing his second career victory.
Max Verstappen finished second at Zandvoort, extending his winless streak to five races.
McLaren had a strong performance, with Lando Norris winning the race and Oscar Piastri finishing fourth.
Alex Albon was disqualified from qualifying for running an illegal floor, and he finished 14th in the race.
Mercedes struggled at Zandvoort, with both drivers finishing outside the top six despite recent strong performances.
Conclusion
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort was a weekend of highs and lows for the F1 grid. Lando Norris and McLaren emerged as the big winners, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull faced challenges on home soil. With the championship battle heating up, the final races of the season promise even more drama and excitement. As teams head into the sharp end of the campaign, the pressure will only intensify, making every point and every race crucial in the fight for the title.
