Australia’s Oscar Piastri has taken a major step towards a maiden Formula 1 world championship after capitalising on misfortune for McLaren teammate Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Starting from pole after edging Norris by just 0.012 seconds in qualifying, Piastri controlled the race throughout. But with seven laps remaining, Norris suffered an oil leak and engine failure that forced him to retire, ending McLaren’s hopes of a 1-2 finish.
The result handed Piastri his seventh win of the season and a decisive boost in the title race. The Melburnian who has family ties to Shepparton now holds a 34-point advantage over Norris — a significant buffer gained at a circuit many expected to suit his teammate.
