Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli were the stars of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, round 12 of the Formula 1 World Championship. Norris, now racing freely after last season's title win, delivered another impressive performance, proving he remains a force to be reckoned with. Despite trailing Antonelli by 83 points, Norris is still a serious threat, especially as he continues to take points away from Antonelli's closest rivals.
Antonelli, nicknamed "Babyface", showed remarkable maturity by adopting a Prost-like approach. He doesn't need to take unnecessary risks; he just needs to finish consistently ahead and occasionally attack. His 60-point lead over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton makes him increasingly comfortable at the top. However, there is a concern that Norris, with his sharp form, could act as a "gatekeeper" for Antonelli by keeping the other title contenders at bay.
On the other hand, Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc deserve praise for their efforts. Alonso, at 45, showed his class with a perfect strategy for Aston Martin, which now benefits from a new Newey-designed chassis. The more aerodynamically stable AMR26 allowed Alonso to play tactics and finish as the best of the rest. Meanwhile, Leclerc was the only driver willing to try something different on the outdated Zandvoort circuit.
Leclerc delivered a spectacular move in the Sprint, the only overtake worth watching, and repeated it in the main race when he passed Oscar Piastri. However, his nightmare returned: another strategic blunder from the Ferrari pit wall cost him a potential top result. This is a harsh criticism for the Italian team, which continues to show inconsistency in decision-making.
Yuki Tsunoda's return to the grid after nine months was also commendable. Without preparation, he was immediately competitive and nearly scored points for Racing Bulls. Nico Hulkenberg's heroic avoidance of a multi-car crash involving Bortoleto was also a highlight.
On the negative side, the Sprint at Zandvoort once again drew criticism. The circuit is deemed unsuitable for F1's modern sprint format, and the Saturday race actually reduced its appeal. Many hope the circuit will be retired soon, especially after news that the Dutch GP will be dropped from the calendar starting in 2027 due to financial reasons and lack of on-track action.
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz also faced sharp criticism. Verstappen disappointed in front of his home crowd, playing only a supporting role. Sainz, who was involved in a pit lane incident, showed he still hasn't found his best form this season.
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