2026 Dutch GP Driver Ratings: Norris Flawless as Verstappen's Home Farewell Ends in Crash

Lando Norris was the standout performer at Zandvoort, earning a perfect 10 in our driver ratings after securing pole, victory, and back-to-back wins. The reigning world champion had to work for it, though, recovering from a tricky first stint to pass Kimi Antonelli on lap 54 and pull clear by over 11 seconds. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's final Dutch Grand Prix ended on the opening lap after a heavy crash on the damp banking, a cruel farewell for the four-time champion.

Why it matters:

• Norris's momentum is building as he chases Antonelli in the title fight, though the gap remains substantial.
• Zandvoort's last F1 race produced a mix of redemption stories and disappointments, with Liam Lawson impressing as a late stand-in and Yuki Tsunoda making a case for a full-time return.

The details:

• Lando Norris (10): Pole, victory, and a flawless drive. He managed a late Virtual Safety Car without fuss to cap a memorable weekend.
• Kimi Antonelli (8.5): The championship leader led most of the race after a great start but lost out when his hard tyres faded. Still, his 18 points keep Mercedes' constructors' lead growing.
• Liam Lawson (8.5): Drafted in for the injured Isack Hadjar, Lawson qualified eighth, finished seventh, and was the only Red Bull to score after Verstappen's exit.
• George Russell (8): Won the sprint and defended well for third in the grand prix, though he couldn't hold off Norris's late charge.
• Yuki Tsunoda (8): In a one-off return to Racing Bulls, he was quickly up to speed, narrowly missing Q3 and battling inside the top ten.

At the other end, it was a weekend to forget:

• Max Verstappen (4): A rare off-day, qualifying seventh and then crashing out on lap 1. He also reported feeling unwell all weekend.
• Carlos Sainz (4): Knocked out in Q1 and involved in a collision with his Williams team-mate.
• Oliver Bearman (4): His race ended after two laps due to a power-unit shutdown on the formation lap.
• Lance Stroll (4.5): Retired with a handling issue, while team-mate Fernando Alonso scored points.
• Sergio Perez (5): A distant last in qualifying and two laps down in the race.

What's next:

Norris will look to carry this form into Monza, but Antonelli's consistent scoring means the gap remains large. Verstappen will hope to bounce back from illness and a home-race nightmare as Red Bull seeks answers.