Oscar Piastri extended his championship lead with a controlled victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, capitalising on team-mate Lando Norris’ dramatic late retirement in a chaotic race at Zandvoort. The win — Piastri’s seventh of the season — moves the Australian 34 points clear in the title fight.
Norris had looked set for a comfortable second place behind Piastri, only for his McLaren to grind to a smoky halt with just seven laps remaining. The retirement promoted home hero Max Verstappen to second, while French rookie Isack Hadjar claimed a sensational maiden podium in third for Racing Bulls.
Piastri in Control Amid the Chaos
Starting from pole, Piastri calmly managed the pace through three safety cars, light rain, and multiple incidents across the field. Verstappen briefly wrestled second from Norris at the start with a bold move at Turn Three, but the Briton soon regained the position and shadowed Piastri for much of the race before disaster struck.
The win reinforces Piastri’s status as the season’s most consistent performer, having now finished on the podium in 11 of the 13 races so far.
Norris’ Title Blow
Norris, who had won three of the previous four Grands Prix before the summer break, was left devastated as he sat beside his stricken car on the Zandvoort dunes. The DNF, his second of the season after Canada, leaves him with a mountain to climb against a rival who has led the championship since round five in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s gutting,” Norris admitted. “We had the pace for a double podium, but luck wasn’t on our side today.”
Hadjar Shines
Hadjar, just 20 years old, drove a mature race well beyond his experience, fending off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc early on before calmly keeping both Mercedes drivers at bay in the closing stages. The Frenchman inherited third when Norris retired, but his first career podium was richly deserved after a career-best qualifying performance on Saturday.
Ferrari Nightmare Continues
Ferrari endured a disastrous weekend as both drivers crashed out. Lewis Hamilton spun into the barriers at Hugenholtz after light rain midway through the race, while Charles Leclerc was eliminated in a collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli following a pit stop. Post-race, Hamilton was also handed a five-place grid penalty for Monza for failing to slow under double yellows at the start.
Incidents Everywhere
The Dutch GP was littered with drama: Antonelli collected two separate penalties, Carlos Sainz was furious after being penalised for contact with Liam Lawson, and multiple safety car and virtual safety car periods bunched up the pack. Through the mayhem, Alex Albon delivered an excellent fifth for Williams, Oliver Bearman scored a career-best sixth for Haas, while Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll grabbed more points for Aston Martin.
What’s Next?
The 2025 season continues next weekend with Round 16 at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari may be struggling on track, but the tifosi will turn out in force to welcome Lewis Hamilton in red for the first time at their home race.
