World champion Norris wins thrilling Dutch Grand Prix ahead of Antonelli and Russell

[p]The Briton started on pole and managed to come out on top of a sensational three-way battle with current title leader [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antonelli-andrea-kimi/ptGu0mT1/"]Kimi Antonelli[/a] and seven-time world champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hamilton-lewis/tI5Vpe1h/"]Lewis Hamilton[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/norris-lando/WSVABbVF/"]Norris[/a] crossed the line 11.54 seconds ahead of Antonelli in second place and claimed a memorable hat-trick for McLaren at the Dutch Grand Prix after wins for teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/piastri-oscar/MqKAIeUf/"]Oscar Piastri[/a] last year and the Briton himself the year before.[/p][p]"[b]I made it tough for myself today, but a good race. Well fought. Probably one of my better wins. We had to fight for it well, but the pace was very strong[/b]," said Norris.[/p][p]"[b]I managed things incredibly well today. So over the moon, very, very happy and nice to win the final race here in Zandvoort[/b]," added the 26-year-old.[/p][embed guid="fc7faead-932f-459e-81dd-d6b4917bf3ff" url="https://x.com/McLarenF1/status/2091545067420827934" social-type="twitter" /][p]Mercedes driver [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/russell-george/xxF56RaN/"]George Russell[/a] completed the podium after holding off a determined challenge from Hamilton in the closing stages of the race.[/p][p]A hefty downpour an hour before lights out meant drivers had to deal with a drying track and the conditions created a dramatic start to the race.[/p][p]Coming into the last corner of the first lap, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/verstappen-max/UV3mgeXB/"]Verstappen[/a] lost control of his Red Bull, smashed into the wall and careered across the track, forcing several rivals to swerve out of the way.[/p][p]To the relief of the tens of thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans, Verstappen immediately told his team he was unhurt and he walked free from the car.[/p][p]When the race restarted after a delay of more than 30 minutes, Antonelli reacted faster off the grid than Norris, passing him in the first turn.[/p][embed guid="96f7a8d7-b0c4-41ed-9f5b-56f334e8e3c6" url="https://x.com/F1/status/2091544644140020076" social-type="twitter" /][p]Antonelli was ahead until the 54th lap when Norris pulled off a spectacular overtake on the Italian.[/p][p]Norris then cruised towards the chequered flag while behind him Hamilton engaged in a nail-biting scrap with George Russell, which the Mercedes man won.[/p][p]The second Ferrari of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/leclerc-charles/KlCOSRub/"]Charles Leclerc[/a] came in fifth while the other McLaren driven by Oscar Piastri took sixth place.[/p][p]Antonelli still enjoys a 59-point lead over rivals Hamilton and Russell, but he will start the next race in Monza with a 10-place grid penalty after Mercedes have been forced into an engine change.[/p][p]"[b]Just didn't have the feeling with the car that was sliding a lot overall[/b]," said Antonelli, who turns 20 next week.[/p][p]It was the last edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, with promoters pulling the plug this year for financial reasons.[/p][embed guid="15f88da4-f774-461c-9e45-49242e15e5ee" url="https://x.com/F1/status/2091549694426058796" social-type="twitter" /][p]Drivers and fans alike regret the loss of the track, whose unusual layout with steep banked corners provides a unique challenge for the drivers.[/p][p]Many drivers also hailed the raucous atmosphere at the event, with packed crowds -- most dressed from head to toe in Dutch orange -- ensuring a party spirit.[/p]