Lando Norris Reacts to Dutch GP Retirement After Huge Hit To Championship Fight

McLaren driver Lando Norris did not finish the Dutch Grand Prix after his power unit failed on him during the closing stages of the race.

Norris was in second place for the majority of the race, sitting behind his teammate Oscar Piastri.

Zandvoort is known to be difficult to overtake on, so if Norris had finished the race, he would have likely ended up finishing second.

Instead, smoke came out of his car’s rear, and after he smelled the final fumes of his race, Norris ended up sitting on a grassy hill, watching his car get removed from the track.

McLaren was a handful of laps away from yet another 1-2 finish this season, but fate had other plans.

After the race, Norris said he wanted to “go have a burger and go home.”

“I mean, the pace is there, I was quick today, it’s impossible to overtake here. A good race today and all I was really hoping for was to stay within five seconds for the most part of the race,” he added.

“I was happy that I could stay within one and a half, two for the majority, I think.

“Doesn’t look it, but that’s an impressive race around here from our side, with how much dirty air and you struggle with the tyres and tyre temperatures when following.

“It was a positive race, but it didn’t mean anything. I couldn’t get past, Oscar drove a good race, he deserved it today, but just not my weekend.

“Unlucky yesterday with the fight for pole, unlucky today, but that’s life, so that’s why I just take it on the chin and move on.”

Norris looked rapid in all three practice sessions, appearing poised to give Piastri all that the Aussie could handle.

Entering Sunday, Norris was a measly nine points away from the lead of the Drivers’ Championship, but after finishing out of the points, the Briton is 34 points behind Piastri.