31/08/2025
NEWS STORY
Despite the wishful thinking from certain sections of the media, it is unlikely that the Weather Gods will play a part in today's race, certainly in terms of rainfall. On the other hand, they could continue blasting the seaside track with strong gusts of wind... or seagulls!
Norris had looked strong in all three practice sessions, but a minor mistake - thought to be wind assisted - when it mattered in Q3 meant his teammate was able to capitalise.
Nonetheless, the Briton has looked remarkably self-assured all weekend, suggesting that perhaps he turned a psychological corner over the break.
That said, teammate Piastri looks as determined and ruthless as ever.
Thankfully, Mclaren allows its drivers to race - up to a certain point - and consequently that short blast to the opening corner will be vital, however while the Papaya pair focus on one another the likes of Verstappen will be keen to take advantage.
Right up there in the mix is Hadjar, enjoying his best ever starting position, the Frenchman coming on in leaps and bounds... as is his team.
Behind the RB we have the Mercedes of Russell, the Ferraris, teammate Lawson, Sainz and Alonso, who, despite disappointing in qualifying, should never be written off.
As we always say a race cannot be won in the first corner - or first lap - but it can be lost, as can the championship. There are nine more races to go and both Norris and Piastri would do well to remember that.
It is with some irony that due to the numerous and various incidents thus far this weekend, sections of the media are finally waking up to what a great little track this is, how sad that in the pursuit of (more) money and 'the look' Zandvoort is to be dropped after next year's race. Then again, at a time the likes of Spa and Imola are fighting for survival should anyone be surprised?
Although simulations suggest that a two-stop strategy has a slight advantage in terms of overall time, it is expected that the teams will try and make a single stop, because track position established on the opening lap is all important.
Consequently, Pirelli believes that a strategy based on a first stint on the medium and a second with the hard is the most likely, as it allows teams to cover for the possibility of rain or a Safety Car. For those opting for a two-stop the most likely choice is to use all three compounds, also because only McLaren and Aston Martin have two sets of hards available and Hadjar has two mediums.
Those starting on a one-stop strategy are likely to make their stop from around Lap 28, while - dependent on whether they started on the medium or soft - those on a two stopper will begin to pit around Lap 13 (soft) or Lap 18) medium.
The increase in the pit lane speed limit from 60 to 80 km/h will have a significant impact on the time lost during a pit stop, dropping from around 22 seconds to 19 or 20. However, that's not enough to make the two-stop really attractive. As for the undercut, we saw here last year that it is very effective which is one more factor to take into consideration.
Having taken on a new engine overnight Bearman will start from the pitlane.
Going slightly off tangent, a good friend sent me a link to the Mahle Powertrains website yesterday. At the top of the homepage is a picture of Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth since Cosworth - for it is they - is owned by the Northampton-based company.
This being the Dutch Grand Prix, fans of a certain vintage will appreciate that Zandvoort plays a significant part in Cosworth's history and consequently that of F1, worth remembering at a time Liberty Media is pushing the 75th Anniversary narrative for Cosworth was a major factor over many of those 75 seasons.
The pitlane opens and Hamilton leads the way, followed by Alonso, Antonelli, Bearman and Bortoleto.
Air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 28 degrees.
Piastri complains of a whistling noise in his helmet.
A number of drivers, including Verstappen and Hamilton, are to be investigated after the race for failing to keep to the maximum delta time on their out laps.
We're not sure what meteorological service they are using but Race Control says there is a 60% chance of rain. Sorry, we don't buy it.
All are starting on mediums bar Verstappen, Tsunoda, Colapinto and Hulkenberg who are on softs and the Haas pair who are on hards. All are on fresh rubber.
They head off on the formation lap, a slight lock-up for Hadjar in Turn 1.
The grid forms.
They're away! Piastri and Norris both get away well, as does Verstappen. Into Turn 1, the Dutchman attempts to go around the outside of the Australian but is unable to make it stick. Indeed, as he exits the corner the Red Bull driver loses a little pace allowing Norris to come back at him. Around two Verstappen edges ahead of Norris but as he goes off the racing line his rear begins to get loose, he does brilliantly to hold it together whilst keeping Norris at bay.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Hadjar, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Lawson, Sainz and Albon. Albon is up 5 places while Alonso has dropped three and Bortoleto five, the Brazilian seemingly unable to get his car off the grid. Further back, Colapinto makes a bold move on his teammate following a great start.
While Verstappen is 1.5s down on Piastri, Norris is a further 1.5s behind.
Piastri is told that Class 1 rain is expected arounds Lap 7. It should last for eight minutes.
Don't say a word but it appears to be raining, albeit lightly. Russell is advised that it will last around seven minutes.
On Lap 9 Norris sweeps around the outside of Verstappen in Turn 1 to claim second.
Lap 10 sees a new fastest lap from Norris (14.708) as he remains 4s down on his teammate.
Bearman is concerned at Bortoleto's front wing which is flapping. Moments later, Stroll runs over a piece of debris.
Bortoleto is noted for driving a car in an unsafe condition.
After 15 laps Norris has taken a second out of Piastri's lead.
Still chasing Hadjar, Leclerc is told to lift and coast.
Antonelli is all over the back of Tsunoda, while Verstappen has dropped 10s behind Norris.
Alonso is the first to pit, the Spaniard switching to hards as he rejoins in last position.
"Starting to struggle with the rears," replies Norris when asked about his tyres.
Tsunoda, Colapinto and Hulkenberg all pit at the end of Lap 19, as does Stroll. Hards all round.
"Can you get closer to the car ahead," Norris is asked.
13.6s down on Norris, Verstappen remains 2.1s ahead of Hadjar.
"Definitely have to undercut these guys," advises Hamilton, "it's hard to get closer."
However, it is teammate Leclerc who pits first, the Monegasque rejoining in tenth on hards.
Game over for Hamilton who has gone off and into the barrier at Turn 3. "Sorry guys," he sighs.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Zandvoort here.
The Safety Car is deployed and the McLaren pair are first to pit.
It's a poor stop for Norris as Verstappen, Hadjar and Russell all pit. Norris appeared to hit his front jack man in his determination to get back out. "Is he alright," he asks.
By stopping when he did Leclerc has lost out.
Under the Safety Car, after 24 laps, Piastri leads Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar, Russell, Leclerc, Lawson, Sainz, Ocon and Albon.
Norris asks what caused Hamilton's crash. When told that the Ferrari driver ran over the wet paint on the outside of the banking, the Briton says he should have been appraised of that earlier.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 26, Russell makes a move on Hadjar while further back Sainz has hit Lawson.
Verstappen is all over Norris again, as Antonelli passes Ocon and Alonso is hounding Tsunoda.
A new fastest lap from Piastri (14.609) as he quickly builds a 1.2S lead.
With their cars damaged Lawson and Sainz both pit at the end of Lap 28.
In ninth, Stroll leads Ocon and Berman all three yet to pit.
Russell has another look at Hadjar but the RB driver has it covered. "Moving under braking," complains the Briton.
Albon and Antonelli momentarily swap positions in the battle for seventh.
On Lap 31 the VSC is deployed due to debris on the track.
Norris is told that the goal is to go to the end.
As the VSC is withdrawn Leclerc launches a full-out attack on Russell. They touch but the Ferrari driver is ahead. Clearly incensed, Russell comes back at him, but the Ferrari driver is equally determined.
Sainz is given a 10s penalty for causing a collision.
"Who? Who gets a penalty? Me?" he responds when told. "You are joking. You are joking. It is the most ridiculous decision of my life."
"In Turns 11 and 12 he doesn't leave space, he cannot complain," says Leclerc. Russell argues that the Ferrari driver actually left the track.
Antonelli finally passes Albon for seventh.
As Leclerc closes on Hadjar, the earlier incident with Russell is under investigation.
"Go get 'em!" Norris is effectively told, strategy no longer seemingly an option..
"You put me always in traffic, I don't know," says Alonso when asked about balance on the hards. The Spaniard is currently thirteenth. "Lert's undercut these people, do something," he urges.
Just ahead of Alonso, Bearman and Tsunoda are battling, much to the Spaniard's frustration.
Indeed, in his obvious frustration Alonso closes on Tsunoda.
After 40 laps, Norris remains 1.3s down on his teammate.
With damage to his car, Russell is told to swap positions with his teammate. He is not happy but obliges.
Having made a second stop, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (13.719) on the hards. On the other hand he is currently seventeenth.
"Make sure we go visit the stewards after the race, I want to talk to them," says a still seething Sainz.
"As I went up the banking the rear snapped out and I couldn't recover," admits Hamilton. "It was a bit twitchy the car but my pace looked decent and I was catching George. Very unusual to not finish a race and go out so early. Definitely not great."
Alonso makes a typically bold move to pass Hulkenberg for 16th. Next up is the other Sauber and then Colapinto.
Antonelli pits at the end of Lap 51, rejoining in eighth on softs.
Ferrari reacts by pitting Leclerc who rejoins in seventh, also on softs. He rejoins just ahead of Antonelli who makes a move on the Ferrari in Turn 3, they touch and Leclerc crashes out.
The Safety Car is deployed and as a result there is a rash of pit stops.
As more drivers pit Antonelli slowly makes his way back to the pits, his car damaged.
Replay shows he was making a legal move but simply understeered into the Mercedes.
Behind the Safety Car, after 54 laps, it's: Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Hadjar, Russell, Albon, Antonelli, Gasly, Alonso and Bortoleto.
Following the stops the McLarens are on hards while the next five drivers are on softs.
Antonelli is given a 10s penalty for causing a collision.
Told he has a throttle issue which cannot be fixed, Tsunoda is effectively told he must put up with it.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 56, Verstappen pushes Norris all the way, taking full advantage of his softs.
Bearman passes Bortoleto for tenth, the Haas pair hiving finally pitted under the Safety Car.
Antonelli is under investigation for speeding in the pitlane.
Despite his issues, Tsunoda passes Bortoleto for twelfth.
Out front, Norris is finally within DRS range of his teammate.
Though Piastri opens the gap Norris posts a new fastest lap (12.271).
Antonelli is given another 5s time penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
"Ride is now completely ******," reports Verstappen.
Stroll passes his Aston Martin teammate for tenth, as Bearman passes Gasly for eighth.
"Possibly a few light drops in three laps, lasting until the end of the race," Piastri is advised.
"I've got smoke in the cockpit, I smell something funny," reports Norris. He suddenly slows, smoke billowing from the rear of his car.
"Oil leak," says the Briton, "I'm out!"
As Verstappen moves into second the crowd roars.
It also promotes Hadjar to a podium position.
The McLaren parked by the side of the track, the Safety Car is deployed again.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Zandvoort here.
Behind the Safety Car, Piastri is on hards while Verstappen is on softs of the same vintage.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 68, Piastri maintains his lead.
Suddenly Gasly has dropped a whole load of positions. Seemingly he was involved in an incident with Tsunoda.
Piastri takes the flag, ahead of Verstappen, Hadjar, Russell, Albon, Bearman, Stroll, Alonso, Tsunoda and Ocon.
Colapinto is eleventh, ahead of Lawson, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Antonelli and Gasly.
"It feels a bit unreal," admits Hadjar. "What was most surprising to me was keeping the fourth place for the race.
"Unfortunate for Lando, we took advantage of his DNF," he adds. "I maximised what I had and made no mistakes.
"This was the target since I was a kid," he grins, "this is the first step and hopefully more to come."
"It wasn't easy," adds Verstappen, "I gave it everything at the start to move forward and had a little moment in Turn 2. But in general to be on the podium here is a great result.
"I tried to send it into Turn 3, but there was to much sand in Turn 2!" he laughs.
"It is a pretty hard act to follow Isack up here but I'll try my best," says race winner Piastri. "I felt in control from Lap 1 and used the pace when I needed to, but sorry for Lando.
"The start of the weekend looked like a difficult one," he admits, "but I got it together in qualifying and am very happy with this one.
"A couple of Safety Cars to spice it up. It was a big team effort. There's a long way to go, so we'll keep going, one race at a time."
"I knew when I went round the outside it would be slippery, but not that slippery," Verstappen tells his fellow podium finishers in the cool down room. "Woah," say Piastri and Hadjar.
There are further cries of disbelief at Hamilton's crash, the Sainz/Lawson incident and Antonelli's clash with Leclerc.
As Norris slows to a halt the room falls silent.
By any stretch of the imagination that wasn't a classic, far from it. But it had its moments, it had drama.
The win was effectively decided at the first corner, but then same the various incidents that prevented the afternoon becoming just another McLaren 1-2 followed by a DRS train.
These were the sort incidents, the unscripted events that all the planning in the world cannot be prepared for, and they provide the genuine entertainment that gimmicks like reverse grids cannot.
A dreadful day for Ferrari and Norris, but a great day for Hadjar and Piastri, not forgetting Albon and Bearman.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Zandvoort here.