The dramatic Dutch Grand Prix may have provided a potentially decisive moment in the 2025 F1 title race.
It was a contrasting fortune story for the protagonist of McLaren’s sparring title, as the team struggled with the failure of their first reliability of the season.
Our biggest winners and losers in the crowded race in a chaotic incident at Zandvoort are:
Loser – Rand Norris
Norris endured a heartbreaking DNF when he retired from second place in oil leaks as he was pressurizing his teammate and race leader Oscar Piastri.
Britton lost second to Max Verstappen on the opening lap, but he was struck by impressively as he passed the Red Bull driver before challenging himself with a steady rival and a direct rival.
Resignation after retirement marks a devastating blow in Norris’ bid to win the title of Maiden World. Norris, of course, has time to compete with nine races remaining and over 200 points still on the table, but his job has become much more difficult, especially given the excellent shape and consistency of Piastrie this year.
Winner – Oscar Piastri
Naturally, the biggest winner from Norris’ retirement was his teammate, Piastri. He grew to a 34-point cushion in the championship lead.
But even before Norris broke down, Piastri controlled the race with the latest gentle, cool, collected drives from pole position. The Piastri became clear early on, and had to navigate the reboots of the two safety vehicles, but the victory was unquestionable.
The Australian knows he has solid advantages in the title race, but it is rare to recognize that he can begin to be satisfied and suffer similar cruel fate at every moment.
Losers – Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton kept the piece picked up after crashing.
Another miserable race, Ferrari, will want to forget to see both drivers crash.
First, Lewis Hamilton was surprised by the wet patch and hit a wall in turn 3 and hit the wall with a rare mistake from the seven-time world champion.
Hamilton was later hit by a Monza grid penalty for infringement before the F1 Dutch Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc’s race also ended with a turn 3 barrier, but this wasn’t his fault, he was taken to Kimi Antonelli. Double DNF is not ideal for Ferrari’s quest to beat Mercedes and take second place in the Constructors Championship.
Winner – Isaac Hajar
After producing the “best raps” of his career and bagging a great fourth fourth on the grid, Isack Hadjar scored a stunning maiden podium.
Yes, Hajar, who benefits from Norris’ DNF, was involved, but the Frenchman was once again another outstanding drive, taking the course for the comfortable P4 as the comfortable P4 was impressively resisting Leclair’s Ferrari.
If this kind of performance continues, Hajar will certainly be the Red Bull driver next year.
Hajah’s only accident was breaking his trophy
Loser – Carlos Sainz
Williams driver Carlos Sein fumes in the FIA after defeating a 10-second penalty and two super-reliability points for a collision with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson in Turn 1.
Winners – Oliver Bareman and Haas
A great recovery drive from Oliver Bareman navigated his path from Pitrain’s start, claiming career-high results in Formula 1, earning a big point for Haas.
Loser – Some Antonelli
Another race in European soils that Antonelli wants to erase from his memory. The high-risk, ambitious and harsh Leclair attempts at the 18-year-old Italian ruined both afternoons.
The incident scored an time penalty that dropped him from points on Antonelli, but he also scored two penalty points with a super license, which is becoming the bruise learning curve for the rookie campaign.
Antoneri ruined both his and Leclair’s races
Winner – Alex Albon
Alex Albon put a qualified frustration behind him with a powerful and perfect drive from P15 to P5. Like many in the winner category, Albon was a beneficiary of rival misfortunes, but he still made an impressive performance to put himself in a position to capitalize Williams’ big results.
Loser – Alpine
Alpine was unable to take advantage of the chaos of Zandvoort to leave Holland empty-handed. With most of their rivals enjoying strong results, the Anglo-France team is even drifting further into the constructor’s bottom.
There was at least a better show from Franco Colapinto. He finished 11th and slightly missed Alpine’s first point finish.
Winner – Lance Stroll
A roller coaster weekend for a walk in Reims. The Canadian had two big crashes, starting from behind the field. He then exercised to a surprising 7th place finish ahead of his frustrated Aston Martin teammate Fernando Alonso.
Loser – Beautiful
Like Alpine, Sauber lost the opportunity he missed. Hadjar’s podium lifted the Racing Bulls over Sauber to get seventh place, but Haas is just seven points behind after the double points.