LANDO NORRIS breathed further life into his title defence with a brilliant Dutch Grand Prix victory today, as Max Verstappen’s final home race ended with him walking away from a huge opening-lap crash.

The world champion made it back-to-back wins with a brilliant drive allowing him to execute a superb McLaren strategy to reel in title leader Kimi Antonelli.

Norris, whose victory last time out in Budapest was the first of a difficult title defence, admitted he has not lost hope of retaining his crown despite a hefty deficit – this win in Zandvoort still leaving him 83 points adrift.

But the manner of his win will raise belief, with Norris outgunning Mercedes duo Antonelli and George Russell in qualifying and the race in his upgraded McLaren.

Heavy rain swept in 45 minutes before the race began in the seaside town, but the track was dry enough at lights out for the entire field to start on slick tyres.

Russell boosted his title hopes by clinching sprint race victory on Saturday but he was asked to allow his team-mate and championship rival Antonelli through in the closing stages of today’s race.

That allowed Antonelli to claim second while Russell then had to fend off Lewis Hamilton to secure third – with the British pair now level and 59 points adrift of Antonelli.

Verstappen’s high-speed crash on lap one brought desperate disappointment to his adoring home fans at Zandvoort.

The four-time world champion is not in race-winning contention this season but the huge crowds are almost exclusively here for him, his name chanted at every opportunity.

Seeing him step out of the wreckage of his Red Bull, which careered into the barriers at turn one, was not the ending they hoped to see in the final race at the circuit he helped return to the Formula One calendar.

Charles Leclerc was fifth for Ferrari ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

The previous five races at Zandvoort have been won from pole position, claimed by Norris after a brilliant qualifying display on Saturday.

“I made it tough for myself today but a good race,” said Norris. “Well fought. Probably one of my better wins. We had to fight for it.

“The pace was very strong and I managed things incredibly well today. Over the moon, very happy and nice to win the final race here in Zandvoort.”