Piastri Dominates, Hadjar Shines, Ferrari Falters
The Formula 1 season rolled into Zandvoort this past weekend, and the Dutch Grand Prix delivered a fascinating mix of dominance, heartbreak, and breakthrough moments. From Oscar Piastri’s commanding drive to Isack Hadjar’s maiden podium and Ferrari’s nightmare outing, here’s everything you need to know.
Piastri’s Grand Slam: A Champion’s Drive
Oscar Piastri reminded the paddock why he’s McLaren’s title spearhead. Starting from pole, he controlled the race with surgical precision—never putting a wheel wrong. He not only led every lap but also secured the fastest lap, completing the rare “grand slam.”
This performance stretched his championship lead to 34 points. More importantly, it reinforced the perception that Piastri is not just benefiting from McLaren’s strong package but is also extracting the maximum from it in every scenario.
Heartbreak for Norris
While Piastri celebrated, his teammate endured one of the toughest afternoons of the season. Lando Norris looked set for a solid podium before mechanical gremlins forced him to retire. The DNF was a bitter blow for Norris, who has been in close pursuit of Piastri all year.
The retirement widens the championship gap and could mark a pivotal moment in McLaren’s intra-team battle. For Norris, Monza now represents both an opportunity and a must-win situation to reignite his title bid.
Hadjar’s Breakthrough Podium
The feel-good story of the weekend came from rookie Isack Hadjar. Calm under pressure and opportunistic when it counted, the 20-year-old Frenchman drove beyond his years to clinch third place—his first career podium.
Hadjar’s reward was not only champagne on the Zandvoort podium, but also validation that he belongs at the sharp end of the grid. Many are already calling this result the first of many.
Ferrari’s Weekend to Forget
For Ferrari, the Dutch GP was more nightmare than fairytale. Charles Leclerc’s race ended in a collision with Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli, while Lewis Hamilton spun out and retired. To add insult to injury, Hamilton also picked up a grid penalty for Monza.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the Scuderia, particularly as they now head into their home race at Monza under immense pressure.
The Bigger Picture: McLaren on Top, Rivals Searching
McLaren’s pace advantage was undeniable at Zandvoort. But while some critics argue the car is doing the heavy lifting, Piastri’s consistency—scoring in every race so far—makes him look every bit the worthy champion.
Ferrari and Red Bull must find answers quickly if they are to challenge McLaren’s dominance. And with Monza just around the corner, the tifosi will be watching closely to see if Ferrari can turn passion into performance.
Looking Ahead: The Italian Grand Prix
Next stop: Monza. Ferrari has already teased a retro livery paying tribute to Niki Lauda’s 50th anniversary with the team, but nostalgia alone won’t close the gap to McLaren. Piastri will arrive as the clear favorite, while Norris will be desperate to bounce back.
Throw in Hadjar’s rising momentum and the chaotic energy Monza always delivers, and we could be in for another weekend full of storylines.
