How the tough Zandvoort conditions brought out the best in Norris

The best drivers tend to rise in difficult circumstances. In a tough and unpredictable Dutch Grand Prix, reigning World Champion Lando Norris asserted his authority.

It was a performance that even Norris doubted was possible based on the results of the Sprint a day earlier, when he faded around 10 laps into the 100km dash after overworking his medium tyres in a vain attempt to compensate for his McLaren’s lack of slow-corner performance.

The one-lap pace was there, and Norris improved to take pole on Saturday afternoon, but still he was sceptical. When title leader Kimi Antonelli took the lead at the second standing start, the Italian looked like he was in a race-winning position.