2026 F1 Dutch GP Sprint: Charles Leclerc passes Lando Norris to finish second behind Russell. Charles Leclerc takes P2 for Ferrari in 2026 Dutch GP Sprint.

George Russell won the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint at Zandvoort, while Charles Leclerc secured second place for Ferrari after passing Lando Norris late in the 24-lap race. The Monegasque produced the main overtaking move among the leaders, converting Ferrari’s alternative Soft-tyre strategy into a valuable P2 finish.

After an extremely close Sprint Qualifying session, Saturday offered the first opportunity for the drivers to score points during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Conditions were cool at Zandvoort, while Ferrari opted to place Charles Leclerc on a different tyre strategy from most of the field.

Conditions for the 2026 Dutch GP Sprint

• Air temperature: 18°C
• Track temperature: 23°C
• Humidity: 62%
• Wind: 3.1 m/s from the north-east

Pirelli brought the C2 Hard, C3 Medium and C4 Soft compounds to Zandvoort, with tyre choice becoming one of the main strategic variables before the start. The characteristics of the compounds and their potential role over the weekend had already been central to the Dutch Grand Prix tyre strategy analysis.

Ferrari puts Charles Leclerc on Soft tyres

With the Sprint lasting only 24 laps and expected to be completed without a pit stop, there was relatively little strategic variation across the field. Almost everyone started on the Medium compound, with Charles Leclerc and Oliver Bearman the only drivers opting for Soft tyres.

Ferrari’s decision was clearly aimed at allowing Leclerc to exploit the additional grip of the C4 compound at the start. Pierre Gasly was the only driver using a new set of tyres, while everyone else started on previously used rubber.

The choice added another element to the Sprint strategy and set-up challenge at Zandvoort, although the expected advantage did not immediately materialise for Ferrari when the lights went out.

George Russell leads as Leclerc comes under pressure from Antonelli

Russell made a clean start from pole and successfully kept Norris behind. Andrea Kimi Antonelli immediately climbed to fourth and settled directly behind Leclerc, who was unable to exploit his Soft-tyre advantage in the opening phase.

Oscar Piastri slipped to fifth ahead of Max Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly occupied the final two points-paying positions.

The opening laps quickly developed into a tightly packed train. Nobody managed to escape at the front, but overtaking remained extremely difficult despite the small gaps between the cars. Antonelli was the most aggressive of the leading group and, by lap five, was only just over three tenths behind Leclerc.

By lap 10, however, there had been no genuine battle for position among the frontrunners. Antonelli remained glued to the Ferrari, but both Leclerc and Norris were able to use overtake mode, making an attack particularly difficult.

Charles Leclerc closes on Norris as Soft tyres remain competitive

Around the halfway point of the race, Norris began to lose contact with Russell and therefore lost access to the overtaking assistance available from running close behind the Mercedes. That allowed both Leclerc and Antonelli to close in.

By lap 14, the order remained unchanged, although Norris was beginning to feel increasing pressure from the Ferrari behind him. Importantly for Leclerc, the Soft tyres were still holding up comfortably despite Ferrari having selected the more aggressive compound.

The pattern remained almost identical on lap 17, with seven laps remaining. The leading positions were essentially unchanged from the end of the opening lap, but Leclerc had moved firmly onto the back of Norris.

There was still very little difference in speed between the Ferrari and McLaren, however, meaning an overtake was far from straightforward.

Charles Leclerc passes Lando Norris for second place

The breakthrough finally arrived on lap 18. Leclerc attacked the reigning world champion and passed Norris’ McLaren at Turn 1, moving the Ferrari into second place behind Russell.

Antonelli then closed onto the McLaren as he attempted to take advantage of Norris’ tyre difficulties. By lap 21, the Mercedes driver was still unable to get sufficiently close, although he finally reached the back of Norris on the following lap.

Getting close enough to attempt an overtake proved to be another matter entirely. Antonelli remained behind Norris through to the chequered flag, leaving the McLaren driver third and the Mercedes fourth.

That meant Leclerc’s move on Norris was the only significant change among the leading positions during an otherwise quiet Sprint. For Ferrari, however, it proved decisive, allowing the Monegasque driver to turn third on the grid into second place at the finish.

Hamilton, meanwhile, completed the Sprint in seventh place, the same position from which he started, adding points for Ferrari but without making progress through the tightly packed field. More coverage of the seven-time world champion’s Zandvoort weekend can be found in the dedicated Lewis Hamilton section.

2026 Dutch GP Sprint results