Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris faced a challenging 'dark Sunday' at the Dutch Grand Prix, with both British drivers failing to finish their races. International media outlets have strongly reacted to their disappointing performances, highlighting the significant setbacks for two of the sport's prominent figures.
Why it matters
Both drivers' retirements at Zandvoort represent critical blows to their seasons. For Hamilton, it marked his first DNF in a year without a podium, while Norris's engine failure occurred as he contended for a strong result, raising questions about McLaren's reliability and his own championship aspirations.
The details
- Lewis Hamilton's Crash: Hamilton's hopes for an improved performance were dashed when he crashed on the 23rd lap. This marked a significant setback for the Mercedes driver, who has been searching for stronger results.
- Lando Norris's Engine Failure: The McLaren driver's race ended prematurely due to an engine failure. Norris was actively chasing his teammate, Oscar Piastri, for a potential victory before his car's power unit gave up.
International Media Reactions
Daily Mail's Perspective
The British outlet issued an 'SOS' call for Norris, suggesting the incident could define his season.
- It highlighted Norris's declaration of 'I might be on fire' and the 'mind-bending horror' of his teammate Piastri performing well while he struggled.
- The Daily Mail concluded by stating, 'Now we will find out of what metal Norris is made.'
- Regarding Hamilton, it noted, 'It was a bad afternoon... with Lewis Hamilton crashing out to his first retirement of a podium-less year – another landmark as welcome as scurvy.'
Gazzetta Dello Sport's Take
The Italian outlet focused heavily on Lewis Hamilton's performance, labeling it a 'dark Sunday' and drawing a cinematic comparison.
- It likened the situation of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Zandvoort to a scene from Mel Brooks's 'Young Frankenstein,' where characters face increasing misfortune.