Oscar Piastri has us all feeling like we are in a constant state of deja vu. The Australian driver managed to lead from the start and claim yet another win at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday. The McLarens are proving tough to beat this season, and Piastri has only 9 races left to defend his top spot in the drivers’ championship. The race was a welcome return for the Formula 1 teams as they are fully recharged and ready to race following the lengthy summer break. The race was a dramatic affair with several crashes and safety cars being deployed. Despite all that drama, Piastri kept his cool and took the win at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Dutch Grand Prix was as dramatic as we all expected
The race started with Piastri pulling away from the line to take the lead, where he would stay for the majority of the race. His teammate, Lando Norris, started well and maintained a close gap between him and Piastri, but was never able to gain enough ground to activate DRS. Norris was embroiled in a fight for second position with the local hero, Max Verstappen.
Verstappen clearly had something to prove at his home race and pushed his car to the limit. He would eventually overtake Norris when the British driver suffered an oil leak and was forced to retire with only 5 laps left in the race. Following the win, Piastri was as humble as ever:
“It feels good, obviously. I controlled the race when I needed to, and obviously, it was incredibly unfortunate for Lando at the end. But I felt like I was in control of that one and just used the pace when I needed to. That was a bit of a different race to 12 months ago, so very happy with all the work we’ve done to try to improve around here, and very satisfied to come out on top.” – McLaren Driver Oscar Piastri
The drama was not limited to the front three drivers
The race featured several crashes that forced a stoppage to proceedings. First, it was Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton who crashed at turn 3 following a poor line into the corner. He spun out and hit the barrier, his first DNF in a Ferrari. His teammate would suffer the same fate, albeit through the actions of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver was attempting an overtake when he bumped into Leclerc and sent the Ferrari into a spin that hit the barrier as well.
The result was a positive one for the papaya colored cars as they make their final push for the drivers and constructors’ championships this season. Hadjar would give one of his best performances yet as he managed to finish in third. Verstappen capitalized on Norris’s oil leak and subsequent exit from the race to take second place at his home race. That second place was a surprise as the Dutchman had claimed he did not believe he could win this season.
“I think today we experienced the two sides of motorsport. On one side, we have the joy, the satisfaction of another victory for McLaren, a deserved victory for Oscar – he ran a very strong and clean weekend. And on the opposite side, we have the disappointment and the pain for our retirement.”
Can anyone stop the championship ambitions of McLaren this season
Not likely. McLaren has been unstoppable this year. Piastri has driven like a man on a mission; his calmness and relaxed demeanor are reminiscent of Mark Webber, who has been mentoring the young Australian this year. Ferrari’s woes continue in both cars. Red Bull is doing their best to stay competitive and pick up a few podiums on the way to the end of the season. The question is, can the McLarens remain as dominant when the new season comes rolling around with its new rules and regulations?
