Photo Credit: Getty Images
A dramatic Dutch Grand Prix saw Oscar Piastri extend his championship lead, as McLaren teammate Lando Norris dropped out near the finish.
From pole position, Piastri controlled the race despite three safety cars and high-profile crashes. Norris briefly lost second place to Max Verstappen at the start but quickly fought back and stayed close behind his teammate. The team seemed set for another double podium until Norris' car let go with seven laps left. After pulling off track, he stayed seated on the grass, helmet still covering his face as he processed the moment.
The Australian's win – his seventh of the season – stretched his championship advantage to 34 points. Verstappen took second place, while 20-year-old Isack Hadjar claimed a sensational first career podium for Racing Bulls after a calm, error-free drive.
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari career took another hit when he crashed out on lap 23, losing control as light rain made conditions tricky. "As I went up the bank, the rear snapped out and I couldn't recover," he admitted afterwards. Charles Leclerc's race also ended early after a clash with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who was later given a 10-second penalty for causing the crash.
Carlos Sainz was left furious after being penalised for an earlier clash with Liam Lawson. On being told of the decision, he exclaimed over team radio: "Me? You're joking. It's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in my life."
George Russell kept his nose clean to take fourth for Mercedes, while Williams' Alex Albon stormed from 15th on the grid to finish fifth. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman impressed with sixth after starting from the pit lane, followed by Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. Yuki Tsunoda salvaged ninth for Red Bull and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten for Haas.
For Ferrari, it was a weekend to forget just days before their home race at Monza. McLaren, meanwhile, celebrated another win – but the mood was tempered by Norris' retirement, which leaves him with a steep climb if he hopes to challenge Piastri for the title.
