Verstappen concedes to McLaren pace after crushing Norris win

Max Verstappen claimed it was "quite clear" he and Red Bull were not strong enough to fight McLaren and Lando Norris for victory in the Dutch Grand Prix.

The home hero took the lead off the line, but could not hold on, with the British driver reeling in the three-time world champion, ultimately passing him at quarter-distance, on lap 18 of the 72-lap race at Zandvoort.

Norris eased away from the Red Bull over the rest of the grand prix, coming home over 22 second clear of Verstappen.

It was the biggest margin of victory in F1 this season and the McLaren evidently had pace in hand as the 24-year-old clinched the fastest lap on the final lap to secure the extra point.

In doing so, he reduced Verstappen's drivers' championship lead from 78 points to 70. However, to the Dutch driver, second was the best he could have hoped for.

"You always try to do better," Verstappen said in the post-race interview after getting out of his Red Bull RB20.

"We had a good start, so we tried everything we could today, but throughout the race, I think it was quite clear that we're not quick enough. So I tried to be second today."

Norris has struggled off the start lane in recent races, and lost out to Verstappen over the opening metres at Zandvoort.

However, with superior pace, the McLaren driver was able to vanquish his run of being unable to convert pole position into victory - at the sixth time of asking across grands prix and sprints.

Despite this, Verstappen claimed he did not overthink about beating Norris into the first corner.

"To be honest, not at all," he replied when asked if he dreamed about taking the lead at the start.

"I know that we have good starts, so I was quite confident that we would have another one, and luckily, it was like that.

"And then I just tried to do my own race, and that was my race - and that was second today."