Dutch Grand Prix Round-up

The Dutch Grand Prix was one of the most dramatic races of the season, from DNFS, to rain, to another rookie podium, Netherlands cooked up a a storm of a race and something arguably the fans needed to keep the energy alive for the 2025 season.

Even before the race had started, Lewis Hamilton was picked up for a yellow flag infringement meaning that he did not slow down under the yellow flags on the reconnaissance laps to the grid and this was investigated after the race and he was unfortunately given a 5 place grid penalty to serve at monza, something the tifosi will not be happy about and the race was arguably worse for Ferrari too.

With Ollie Bearman starting from the pits after taking a new engine, lap 1 was underway and Norris has a slightly better start than Piastri but in the second phase, got cut across by him and had no where to go, leaving the door nicely open to soft runner Verstappen to take the place and up he went to P2. Moments later tried to send it on Piastri at turn 3 but lots of sand and dust had made its way onto the track, on to Maxs tyres and a massive snap of oversteer forced Verstappen to back out but crucially keeping P2 for him. Lap 6, Piastri 6 seconds ahead of Verstappen.

With McLaren running comfortably 4 tenths quicker than anyone, Norris made a very good move on Verstappen at turn 1, going all the way around the outside with the Dutchman's fading soft tyres giving him no grip advantage anymore forcing him to back out and concede P2.

Lap 21 is when it all started to fall apart for Ferrari today, with Hamilton still running P7 and going well, got on the slightly damp green run off at turn 3 and had massive oversteer but with the armaco walls closing in quickly he smashed into the wall and his front right was ruined and that was his race done. Safety car comes out and ruins Leclerc's position at that moment as he had literally just pitted and lost out to Russell for P5. McLaren double stack but the second pitstop didn't go to plan with the front jackman not getting away quick enough and was sent stumbling backwards by Norris. Thankfully everyone was alright.

Lap 27 saw a coming together between Sainz and Lawson and the Spaniard attempted to go round the outside at turn 1 but was not along side enough - according to the regulations - and they made contact and they both got punctures and was forced to pit, ruining both of their races. Sainz received a somewhat unfair 10 second penalty and 2 penalty points for this maneuver.

A ballsy move for Leclerc on Russell down into turn 11 going around the outside forcing him off the track and into the gravel but somehow still managing to pull the move off but giving Russell significant floor damage at the same time which effectively ruined his race and was forced to swap positions with his teammate Antonelli a short while later on lap 41. The stewards are investigating this after the race and worst case scenario Ferrari might have a double grid penalty for Monza which would be terrible if Leclerc is deemed to have gained an advantage off track making the overtake.

Antonelli made a pitstop on lap 47 to try and undercut Leclerc and had a rapid out lap and Ferrari responded and out of the pits, Antonelli made a risky move up the inside of Leclerc at turn 3 but went in too hot and understeered wide into the Ferrari's rear right tyre, sending Leclerc spinning into the wall, breaking his front wing in the same place Hamilton had retired and was also forced to retire as well. A heartbreaking day for the Scuderia. Antonelli also received a puncture, his tyre falling off and that resulted in speeding into the pits as he could not slow down quick enough. This resulted in Kimi getting a total of 15 seconds of penaltys and completely ruining the rookies race too.

Lap 65 was where Piastri may have 1 and a half hands on the championship now with Lando Norris smelling smoke from his MCL39 and the Mercedes engine giving up on him. Absolute devastation for him and his championship hopes. The first McLaren technical failure of the season goes the way of Lando Norris which now increases the gap in the championship to 34 points, making it harder and harder for the Brit to win his first title. He was out of the car and visibly upset sat on the sandy Zandvoort dunes. Safety car.

Lap 69 and Verstappen makes a brief attempt on Piastri but ultimately knowing he didn't have the pace and settles for P2.

Lap 72 and Oscar Piastri wins the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix from Verstappen in P2 and first F1 podium for Isack Hadjar in P3. A truely incredible performance from the young French prospect in the Racing Bulls, joining Antonelli and Hulkenburg for first time podium finishers this season. A damaged Russell limps home in P4 and another great result from Albon in P5 and another career best rookie finish from pitlane start Ollie Bearman, giving has well needed points in P6. The Aston pair, headed by Stroll in P7 and P8, followed by crucial points for Tsunoda and a double Haas points with Ocon rounding out the top 10. What a crazy race.

This was the full result for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix and championship standings: