2025 Dutch Grand Prix Race Review

Linus O'Howell
4 days ago
3 min read

Piastri Wins, Norris Retires, and Hadjar Takes Maiden Podium in Chaotic Zandvoort Afternoon

In a day full of chaos, the one driver who stayed consistent was Oscar Piastri as he led from start to finish to take a win that extends his Championship lead to 34 points! Max Verstappen stayed out of trouble throughout to take second place at home whilst Isack Hadjar took advantage of a DNF for Lando Norris to take a Podium in just his 15th Grand Prix! Incredible scenes!

The Biggest Talking Points

I tell you; a lot happened during this Race! At the start, Oscar Piastri got off the line well to keep the lead, whilst Max Verstappen was able to jump Lando Norris (whilst also nearly crashing in the process)! However, it didn’t take Lando too long to regain second-place, with him making a nice move around Verstappen’s outside (at Tarzan corner)! There were a lot of talks about rain during this Race, and whilst not a lot actually hit the track, it did catch Lewis Hamilton out as he went crashing into the barrier for a very rare DNF! This brought out a Safety Car, and when it returned to the pits, Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson came together at Turn 1, dropping both guys to the back, with Carlos receiving a 10-second time penalty! This was a really disappointing moment for both drivers, but in no world should Sainz have ever been given a penalty for this, the FIA are clowns!

During the second stint, the big train took place behind the two Haas cars (who were still yet to pit) to the chagrin of Fernando Alonso! George Russell and Charles Leclerc then came together at Turn 11/12, with Russell receiving damage as a result! Honestly, I’m surprised Charles wasn’t told to give the place back, and this certainly hurt George’s day! However, it didn’t end up mattering much, as on Lap 52, Andrea Kimi Antonelli wiped out Charles Leclerc, resulting in a Ferrari double DNF whilst Antonelli received a 10-second time penalty! When the Race got back underway again, Oliver Bearman and Lance Stroll were able to make important overtakes to put themselves into the points before one of the biggest moments of the season took place, with Lando Norris’ McLaren giving up on him, resulting in a devastating retirement! This is an absolute killer for Lando; I feel for him! This ultimately put Isack Hadjar onto the Podium, whilst Pierre Gasly finished last after Alpine told him to let his teammate through (this was so odd)!

The Standout Drives in the Race

I’ve given out four 10’s for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix and the first one is obviously for Oscar Piastri! Whatever happened with his teammate, that doesn’t really change the way that Oscar drove today; he was superb and fully deserved the win! The second driver I’ve given out maximum points to is Isack Hadjar, and wow oh wow, a Podium in your Rookie Season is insane anyway, let alone in a Racing Bulls! Rookie of the Season so far; he fully deserves this! The third driver I’ve given a Perfect 10 to is Alex Albon, and that’s simply because he went from 15th to 5th, another mega drive from Albon this season! And the final driver I’ve given a 10 to is Oliver Bearman, who started today’s Race from the pitlane and finished in a career-best 6th! Ollie’s been waiting for a big result for a while, so I’m very happy for him! Elsewhere, Max Verstappen did a great job to finish second, whilst Lance Stroll came out of nowhere to go from last to 7th, a very strong day for Aston Martin (with Fernando Alonso finishing 8th)!

Drivers Who Had a Shocker

I’ve only given out two 1’s for today’s Race, and the first one is for Andrea Kimi Antonelli! Kimi Antonelli messed it up today, he had everything to finally beat his teammate, and yet he punted Charles Leclerc out of the Grand Prix before he got another penalty for speeding in the pitlane! And the other driver I’ve given the lowest possible grade to is Lewis Hamilton! It’s incredibly rare to see Lewis crash out of a Race, especially on his own, but it’s ultimately on him, he can’t make these types of mistakes!