Lando Norris secured his second consecutive Formula 1 victory at Zandvoort, becoming the first non-Mercedes driver to achieve two wins this season. The result marked a significant shift for McLaren, which had previously struggled to consistently challenge for podiums before the Netherlands.
These back-to-back wins occurred on high-downforce circuits with slower corners, creating a contrast to the upcoming races at Monza and other venues featuring long straights. The streak suggests the team has made progress with aerodynamic upgrades and a better understanding of its Mercedes power unit.
Norris’ confidence grows after title win
The reigning world champion started on pole in Zandvoort but lost the lead to Kimi Antonelli at the second restart. Instead of forcing an early battle, he played the long game, preserving fresher tires for later. When both he and Antonelli were held up by Lewis Hamilton, Norris made a decisive move to retake the lead.
His teammate, Oscar Piastri, finished sixth in the same car, highlighting how Norris maximized the MCL40’s potential. Team principal Andrea Stella credited the driver’s ability to extract more from the hard compound tires, which were difficult to manage during the race.
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“On the hard tires, I think Lando had extra in terms of understanding how to use this compound,” Stella said. “We could see that with Oscar—very competitive first stint and very difficult second stint—and it was the same for Antonelli. The tires today had a lot to offer, but it was not easy to go and get it.”
Stella noted that Norris thrives in low-grip conditions, where his driving style can shine. The team has improved the car, but the harder compound in Zandvoort played to his strengths.
There’s another factor at play: the confidence that comes with winning a world title. Stella said Norris is now driving at the level of a champion, with a newfound assertiveness. He picks his battles, knowing when to push and when to wait.
“I would say that, definitely, he is now expressing a higher level of assertiveness as he drives,” Stella said. “The maneuver to pass Antonelli today is a really good demonstration of that. He is demonstrating more self-confidence, and sometimes that means backing off when the situation becomes too risky.”
Stella pointed to Budapest and Zandvoort as examples. In both races, Norris lost the lead early but stayed patient, knowing his speed would create opportunities later. That patience paid off in both victories.
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Monza will test McLaren’s progress
The next race in Monza, with its long straights and heavy braking, will be a tougher challenge for the team. The MCL40 has struggled with drag and braking performance, two areas critical at the Italian track.
“If we think the demand of Zandvoort and Hungary, and then we think about the demand of Monza, we are in a completely different regime,” Stella said. “If we can confirm our improvements in Monza, then I would say that the answer to your question is yes—we can look with some optimism at the remainder of the season.”
For now, the squad’s focus is on proving its recent form isn’t just a fluke. If the team can be competitive at Monza, it may finally have a car capable of challenging for wins everywhere.
McLaren will need to adapt quickly to the high-speed demands of the Italian track.
