Oscar Piastri delivered a flawless performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, taking a dominant pole-to-flag victory while teammate and title rival Lando Norris was forced to retire late in the race, widening the championship gap.
From the first corner, the 24-year-old Australian controlled the race, managing light rain and three safety car restarts with calm precision. His victory secured a 34-point lead in the drivers’ standings, a significant swing in his favor with just nine races remaining.
For Norris, the weekend ended in heartbreak. As he chased Piastri in second place, an oil leak forced him to retire with only seven laps remaining. The Briton was left alone on the dunes at Zandvoort, visibly dejected, acknowledging the frustration but maintaining his composure. “It wasn’t my fault, so there’s nothing I can really do. It’s just not my weekend,” he said.
Lewis Hamilton also endured disappointment, crashing his Ferrari after losing control on a damp patch at Turn 3. Despite the setback, the seven-time world champion remained positive, describing the weekend as a step forward and emphasizing the progress made with his new team. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur echoed this sentiment, highlighting Hamilton’s continued optimism ahead of Monza.
Max Verstappen finished second for Red Bull, while rookie Isack Hadjar secured his first career podium in third place for Racing Bulls. George Russell placed fourth for Mercedes, with Alex Albon completing the top five for Williams. Oliver Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten.
With Piastri now enjoying a commanding lead, Norris faces a critical challenge to regroup and respond in the coming races, while Hamilton and Ferrari look to turn lessons from Zandvoort into momentum at Monza.
