Lando Norris wins thrilling Dutch Grand Prix to take back-to-back victories - ESPN

Reigning world champion Lando Norris proved McLaren are back in the fight after claiming victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The pole sitter crossed the line an impressive 11.536 seconds ahead of title leader Kimi Antonelli, marking back-to-back wins for the Englishman in what was a chaotic race around Zandvoort.

George Russell managed to fend off Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages to take the final position on the podium in the other Mercedes.

Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five, over 17 seconds off the pace.

Home hero Max Verstappen walked away after a huge crash at the final corner in the opening lap of the race before it was red flagged.

Norris, whose victory last time out at the Hungarian Grand Prix was the first of a difficult title defence, admitted he has not lost hope of retaining his crown despite a hefty deficit — this win still leaving him 83 points adrift from Antonelli.

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

Russell boosted his title hopes by clinching sprint race victory on Saturday but he was asked to allow Antonelli through in the closing stages of the grand prix.

This means Russell and Hamilton are both 59 points from Antonelli in third in the title standings.

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

Norris started well but Russell got an awful getaway from second, sliding out of his grid box, which allowed Antonelli to breeze past.

Verstappen was engaged in an elbows-out tussle with teammate for the weekend Liam Lawson during the opening exchanges but, having won that duel,