The wait is over: the race is taking place in Holland Formula 1, which saw Oscar Piastri triumph. After a good start to the weekend dominant McLaren was expected to dominate again today, and so it was, or at least until a few laps from the end. Norris is forced to retire due to a reliability issue. Both Ferraris were also out, with Leclerc involved in an accident with Kimi Antonelli.
The lights go out in Holland: the race begins
The best drivers all start on the medium tyre, with the exception of Max Verstappen who chose to mount the red tyre. It's really the Dutchman who has the best start: passes Norris and joins Piastri at Turn 1. The Australian goes wide, maintaining first place. Super Max risks losing control of his Red Bull at Turn 3, but manages to prevail in the duel with Norris. Behind him, Hadjar maintains fourth place, while Leclerc overtakes Russell with a masterpiece overtaking.
At Zandvoort, the drivers are informed that rain is coming. Meanwhile, Norris reclaims second place with an outside pass at Turn 1 and targeting his teammate. The McLarens, as expected here in Holland, created a gap in the race while Norris closed the gap on Piastri.
After 20 laps, the drivers using the softest tires began to stop. A light rain hit several sectors, but we were still far from switching to intermediate tires. Hamilton looms large in Russell's mirrors, while behind him Lawson, Sainz and Albon complete the top 10.
Hamilton hit the wall on lap 24 of the race
Twist in the 24th lap with the Safety Car takes to the trackLewis Hamilton runs wide at Turn 3, ending up on the less grippy part of the track. Loss of control and a boom against the wall on the right side of the runway.
At the restart in turn 1 immediately a contact between Sainz and Lawson: race ruined for both drivers who were in the top 10 and are now forced to make another pit stop.
After a short Virtual Safety Car caused by debris, you can set off again and immediately Leclerc pulls off another incredible overtake on Russell. The Monegasque driver, with more than half his car in the gravel, managed to finish despite contact between the two drivers. The federation investigated the incident after the race, and we'll see if there are any consequences in the near future.
In Holland Piastri maintains its leadership
The situation in Holland at half race sees Piastri in the lead with 1.5 seconds advantage over Norris, followed by Verstappen, Hadjar, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Albon, Stroll and OconEveryone is on hard tyres except Verstappen on medium tyres. The Dutchman will therefore likely have to stop again.
Russell's car is damaged due to contact with Leclerc and consequently at Mercedes they ask their number 1 to let Antonelli pass, and the British performs.
The race continued smoothly until lap 53, when Antonelli pitted for red tires. Leclerc responded the following lap, but upon exiting the pits, he found himself just ahead of Antonelli, who attempted an inside move at Turn 3. Disaster! The Italian hits the Ferrari. leading her to retire after a heavy crash into the same barrier that had seen Hamilton retire. Both Ferraris are eliminated from the Dutch GP.
New Safety Car on track with a revolutionized top 10: Albon moves up to sixth place, ahead of Antonelli, Gasly, Alonso and Bortoleto, with the final three deciding not to pit. With 3 laps remaining, the race resumed with Norris able to catch up with Piastri. Both McLarens were on white tyres, while the drivers behind opted for softs.
Final sprint after the Safety Car and retirement for Norris
There are only a few laps left but there is certainly no shortage of excitement yet. Lando Norris is forced to retire due to a reliability issue. A very heavy blow for the English driver who sees his rival slip away in the standings.
Yet another Safety Car on the track, shuffling the cards once again with the final laps set to be fiery. Isack Hadjar is so incredibly in third place, while Albon fifth and Bearman seventh, but virtually sixth due to Antonelli's penalty, have many points at stake.
With 4 laps to go, the Safety Car comes out: it's a battle on the track again. However, the positions are frozen and Oscar Piastri triumphs in a crazy race in HollandVerstappen and the incredible rookie Hadjar, who scored his first career podium, made it onto the podium. Completing the top 10 were Russell, Albon, Bearman, Stroll, Alonso, Tsunoda, and Ocon.
