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

Lando Norris will be hoping to capitalise on the advantage of starting from pole position, just as George Russell did in the Sprint race. Zandvoort's narrow and twisty layout has historically played into the hands of the polesitter, making track position particularly valuable around the Dutch circuit.

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.

Photo: Race Pictures

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.

"I honestly don't care what I'm doing next weekend or the weekend after. It's nice to know there's a possibility. And of course, I'm hoping both Mercedes get a double DSQ in Vegas like we did. And decide not to box in Qatar for a free pit stop.

"So, as long as they make the same mistakes, it'll probably be just as easy. But, yeah, every year is different. So, I mean, for me, we're still trying to play catch up with certain things. But I'm getting everything out of it for now, and that's all I can be pleased about."