Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands: Australian driver Oscar Piastri clinched a stunning victory at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, securing his first win at Zandvoort after starting from pole position. The McLaren star delivered a flawless performance, keeping home favorite Max Verstappen at bay to claim the top step of the podium.
Piastri holds off Verstappen
Piastri, who dominated qualifying on Saturday, converted pole into victory despite the constant pressure from Verstappen in front of a partisan Dutch crowd. At one stage, with the safety car deployed after Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari came to a halt at Turn Three, Verstappen seemed poised to pounce. But Piastri showed composure, pulling away after the restart to maintain his lead until the chequered flag.
Verstappen eventually settled for second, unable to break through McLaren’s pace advantage. The result marked a big moment for Piastri, who is fast emerging as one of the rising stars of Formula 1.
Hadjar’s breakthrough moment
Behind the leading duo, French rookie Isack Hadjar delivered the performance of his career to secure his maiden Formula 1 podium with a third-place finish for RB. The 19-year-old celebrated with his team as he crossed the line, marking a fairytale moment for both driver and garage.
Final standings (Top 5)
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Winner
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Second
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Isack Hadjar (RB) – Third
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George Russell (Mercedes) – Fourth
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Alex Albon (Williams) – Fifth
What it means
The victory at Zandvoort boosts Piastri’s reputation as a driver capable of taking the fight to Verstappen and the Red Bull juggernaut. For Verstappen, it was a rare defeat at home, while Hadjar’s podium provided one of the biggest storylines of the season, signaling the arrival of a new talent in Formula 1.
The Dutch GP once again lived up to its billing, with fans treated to drama, strategy, and a breakthrough win for one of F1’s brightest young stars.