F1 2026: Dutch Grand Prix Sprint Recap

Mercedes’ George Russell converted his Dutch Grand Prix 2026 Sprint pole to a comfortable win as the Mercedes driver won the Dutch Grand Prix 2026 Sprint. Russell’s win also saw him stand on the top step of the podium for the first time this season since the Austrian Grand Prix 2026. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second with defending world champion Lando Norris hanging on by the skin of his teeth for a third place finish.

There was little to no action at the front for the majority of the race but there was rain on the final lap which could’ve changed things had the rain come a couple of laps before. The win was also Russell’s third Sprint win of the Formula One 2026 season after having won previously at the Canadian Grand Prix 2026 and the Chinese Grand Prix 2026.

George Russell got a brilliant start off the line as he led with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc behind him. Kimi Anontelli, starting P5 made up a place on the opening lap, getting past Oscar Piastri to move into fourth place and was charging at Leclerc. Cadillac’s Sergio Pérez started from the pit lane, three laps after the start and was right at the bottom while Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg complained of an issue which saw him fall down the grid as well and eventually on lap 6 his team asked him to retire the car due to a potential power issue. 

Lewis Hamilton was pressing home hero Max Verstappen for sixth spot as the two former title rivals were involved in a close scrap on track. While Hamilton was pressing Verstappen, the other Ferrari of Leclerc was being pressed by Antonelli who was 0.6 seconds behind Leclerc by lap 10. Luckily for Leclerc, he himself was on the gearbox of Norris while Antonelli was almost two seconds clear of Norris at the front. As the race entered its final 10 laps, Norris consolidated to keep Leclerc at bay while Antonelli was out of the DRS range from Leclerc as a little over two seconds covered the top four. 

Leclerc finally got Norris for P2 on lap 18 as he went on the inside of the reigning world champion at Turn 1 and with Norris informing his team about him struggling with his rears a couple of laps earlier, the McLaren racer was unable to fend off Leclerc or fight back. Not only did Norris lose his second place to Leclerc, but immediately after that move, Antonelli was all over the back of Norris as the Mercedes youngster saw a chance to finish on the podium with five laps to go. Norris managed to keep Antonelli at bay to finish third while George Russell ahead was untouched as he waltzed to a comfortable Dutch Grand Prix 2026 Sprint win with Leclerc finishing second behind him. 

Behind the top three, it was Lando Norris, Oscar Paistri, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly making the top 8 and finishing the Dutch Sprint with points. The grid will be back on track in a few hours’ time for the Dutch Grand Prix 2026 qualifying session.