Oscar Piastri Extends Championship Lead With Zandvoort Win, Isack Hadjar Gets 3rd

Last Updated:August 31, 2025, 21:41 IST

Oscar Piastri won the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix at Zandvoort, ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Lando Norris retired late, extending Piastri’s championship lead to 34.

From the left, second-placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, first-placed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia and third-placed Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar of France stand on the podium during the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Oscar Piastri triumphed at the eventful Dutch Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, with local hero Max Verstappen securing second place. Piastri’s McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, encountered a dramatic breakdown late in the race.

Piastri led from pole to the chequered flag at the Zandvoort circuit, a race marked by several safety car deployments that allowed him to extend his championship lead over Norris to 34 points.

Racing Bulls’ 20-year-old French rookie Isack Hadjar finished third, making him the fifth youngest podium finisher in history.

This victory marked Piastri’s sixth Grand Prix win of the season, solidifying his status as the driver to beat in this year’s championship.

The race began thrillingly, with Verstappen, starting third on the grid, overtaking Norris before briefly losing control of his Red Bull. Cheered on by his “Orange Army" fans, Verstappen made a remarkable recovery to settle behind Piastri, who had a clean start.

However, the McLaren’s faster pace soon became evident, and Norris overtook Verstappen on lap nine to restore the team’s one-two position.

Weather conditions at the circuit, located near the North Sea coast, had been a major concern leading up to the race. Rain started falling around lap 15 of 72, and ten laps later, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton slid his Ferrari into the barriers.

“I’m so sorry guys," said Hamilton, who was unhurt and had previously described himself as a “completely useless" driver who should be replaced.

The safety car bunched up the field again, but Piastri managed to fend off his determined teammate Norris, who kept Verstappen at bay in third.

Further back, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc executed an extraordinary overtaking manoeuvre on Mercedes’ George Russell.

With the rain stopping and drivers on fresh tyres, McLaren engineers encouraged Norris to “let’s go get Oscar".

Since Zandvoort rejoined the Formula One circuit in 2021, the pole-sitter has won every race, as the track is notoriously difficult for overtaking.

Norris struggled to close in on Piastri, who maintained a cool head and delivered error-free laps.

With 18 laps remaining, drama unfolded as Leclerc and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli touched wheels during an overtaking manoeuvre, sending the Ferrari into the barriers and capping a disastrous weekend for the Scuderia.

As the cars bunched up again following the safety car, Piastri set his fastest lap when it mattered, regaining control of the race.

With only six laps to go, Norris reported smoke in his cockpit, forcing him to halt and ending his race in heartbreaking fashion.

Piastri held off a late challenge from Verstappen to clinch victory.

The next Grand Prix will take place at Monza in Italy on September 7, where Ferrari fans will turn out in large numbers, hoping for a better weekend for their team.

(With AFP Inputs)

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First Published:

August 31, 2025, 21:41 IST

News sports Oscar Piastri Extends Championship Lead With Zandvoort Win, Isack Hadjar Gets 3rd

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