Norris already has a key advantage over rivals heading into Dutch GP

Since Zandvoort returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021, starting from pole has been a major advantage, with every polesitter going on to win the Dutch Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen did so three years in a row from 2021 to 2023, before Norris followed suit in 2024 and Oscar Piastri repeated the feat last season. With pole having produced the race winner in each of the five Grands Prix held since Zandvoort's return, history is firmly on Norris' side.

Saturday's result also gives the reigning world champion plenty of reason for optimism. Russell started the Sprint from pole and stayed there from the opening lap to the chequered flag, showing just how valuable track position can be around Zandvoort. The Sprint was, of course, a very different challenge, with its shorter distance and no pit stops removing two important variables that will come into play during full-length Grand Prix.

After claiming following Sprint Qualifying that McLaren simply did not have enough pace, Norris acknowledged that the team has since made some progress. Even so, he still expects the race to be a more difficult challenge and believes McLaren could find itself on the trickier side of things during the Grand Prix.

As for his championship prospects, Norris is not looking too far ahead and instead remains focused on extracting everything possible from the car.

He jokingly suggested his title hopes would become considerably easier if both Mercedes cars were disqualified in Las Vegas, as happened to McLaren in 2025, and if the team passed up the opportunity of a free pit stop in Qatar, another costly moment from McLaren's previous campaign. While acknowledging that every season is different, Norris believes McLaren is still playing catch-up in certain areas and is satisfied that, for now, he is getting everything he can out of the package.

Heavy rain swept over Zandvoort just over 30 minutes before lights out, forcing teams to erect tents on the grid as they weighed wet- versus dry-tyre starts.

Officials still expect a conventional standing start, but a Safety Car-led rolling start remains on the table if the downpour intensifies in the final minutes before the formation lap. Read more