Piastri Triumphs in Dutch GP as Norris Retires in Smoke

Sports

Oscar Piastri clinched victory at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his Formula One championship lead to 34 points after McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris was forced to retire with smoke billowing from his car.

McLaren looked set for a record-equalling fifth consecutive one-two finish until Norris’s hopes were shattered just seven laps from the end. While chasing Piastri for the win, the British driver suddenly reported a burning smell in his cockpit. Moments later, smoke poured from the rear of his car, forcing him to pull over and end his race in despair.

“I don’t know if I’m on fire or not,” Norris told his team before stopping. He was later seen standing behind the barriers with marshals as his car was retrieved. His race engineer tried to comfort him by praising his pace, but Norris, visibly frustrated, replied: “Doesn’t matter.”

The setback widened Piastri’s championship advantage over Norris from just nine points to 34 with nine races remaining. The Australian held firm through three safety car restarts, fending off Norris twice before keeping Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at bay in the closing stages.

“Nicely done, everybody, nicely done. Obviously, sorry for Lando for what happened,” Piastri said over the team radio after crossing the line.

Home favorite Verstappen settled for second place, while Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar secured his first-ever Formula One podium in third. The 19-year-old Frenchman celebrated wildly with his team, who lifted him off the ground after delivering the outfit’s first podium in four years. “That was always the target since I was a kid, so this is the first step,” Hadjar said.

Ferrari endured a nightmare race, with both cars crashing into the barriers at the same spot. Lewis Hamilton spun out during a rain shower, while Charles Leclerc was hit by Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli and forced into the wall. Both retirements compounded Ferrari’s disappointing season.

The dramatic Dutch Grand Prix leaves McLaren celebrating another win but also reflecting on the cruel twist of fate that ended Norris’s race — and gave Piastri a commanding edge in the title fight.