By Ben Langley
Oscar Piastri extended his championship lead to a significant 34 points after a commanding Dutch Grand Prix win. Lando Norris challenged the Aussie all race long but failed to finish after his engine went up in smoke, which could be a crucial moment in the championship tussle. Isack Hadjar secured a magnificent podium finish as he held off the challengers from behind. Max Verstappen finished 2nd for the second year in a row at his home circuit.
The race start brought early drama as Verstappen, starting on the soft tyre, took 2nd from Norris as he looked to give the home crowd something to cheer about. However, the performance of the McLaren was too much for Verstappen as Norris re-passed the world champion a few laps later with a great move in Turn 1.
As Norris began to close on Piastri, the rain started to come down. The slippery conditions were too much for Lewis Hamilton as he lost control of his Ferrari on the banked Turn 3 and crashed into the barriers as his woes continue.
Midway through the race, it was double disaster for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc’s race ended in the same barrier as his teammate. Mercedes looked to undercut Leclerc with Kimi Antonelli but as the Ferrari man emerged from the pits a lap later, he remained in front. However, Antonelli made a move at Turn 3 but understeered into the Ferrari to send the Monegasque driver out of the race. The Italian driver was given a ten-second penalty as the Italian team suffered a double DNF.
Piastri held off Norris in another safety car restart. However, as the race neared its end, there was a dramatic twist in the title fight. Norris reported a smell of smoke in his car, and his worries were ignited into reality as smoke bellowed from his McLaren, and he was forced to retire. This may be a moment of defiance to look back on, with Piastri now in a commanding position to clinch his maiden championship.
Piastri held off Verstappen to win and extend his championship lead to 34 points. Hadjar secured his first ever podium finish in a superb drive for RB, the team’s first podium since Azerbaijan 2021. George Russell, who also made contact with Leclerc during the race, finished 4th ahead of Alexander Albon. Oliver Bearman was another driver to impress as he secured his best finish of the season in 6th, having started from the pit lane.
There isn’t long to wait for the next race as Formula 1 returns next week with the Italian Grand Prix from Monza.
By Ben Langley
Oscar Piastri extended his championship lead to a significant 34 points after a commanding Dutch Grand Prix win. Lando Norris challenged the Aussie all race long but failed to finish after his engine went up in smoke, which could be a crucial moment in the championship tussle. Isack Hadjar secured a magnificent podium finish as he held off the challengers from behind. Max Verstappen finished 2nd for the second year in a row at his home circuit.
The race start brought early drama as Verstappen, starting on the soft tyre, took 2nd from Norris as he looked to give the home crowd something to cheer about. However, the performance of the McLaren was too much for Verstappen as Norris re-passed the world champion a few laps later with a great move in Turn 1.
As Norris began to close on Piastri, the rain started to come down. The slippery conditions were too much for Lewis Hamilton as he lost control of his Ferrari on the banked Turn 3 and crashed into the barriers as his woes continue.
Midway through the race, it was double disaster for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc’s race ended in the same barrier as his teammate. Mercedes looked to undercut Leclerc with Kimi Antonelli but as the Ferrari man emerged from the pits a lap later, he remained in front. However, Antonelli made a move at Turn 3 but understeered into the Ferrari to send the Monegasque driver out of the race. The Italian driver was given a ten-second penalty as the Italian team suffered a double DNF.
Piastri held off Norris in another safety car restart. However, as the race neared its end, there was a dramatic twist in the title fight. Norris reported a smell of smoke in his car, and his worries were ignited into reality as smoke bellowed from his McLaren, and he was forced to retire. This may be a moment of defiance to look back on, with Piastri now in a commanding position to clinch his maiden championship.
Piastri held off Verstappen to win and extend his championship lead to 34 points. Hadjar secured his first ever podium finish in a superb drive for RB, the team’s first podium since Azerbaijan 2021. George Russell, who also made contact with Leclerc during the race, finished 4th ahead of Alexander Albon. Oliver Bearman was another driver to impress as he secured his best finish of the season in 6th, having started from the pit lane.
There isn’t long to wait for the next race as Formula 1 returns next week with the Italian Grand Prix from Monza.
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