Incident in Pit Lane
Oscar Piastri faced no sporting penalties after an incident with George Russell in the pit lane during the second practice session at the Dutch Grand Prix. McLaren received a €5,000 (A$8,935) fine following an investigation by stewards, who concluded that a mechanic with a jack obstructed Piastri’s entry into the pit box, forcing Russell to take evasive action when Piastri reentered the lane.
Team Acknowledgment
McLaren admitted that Piastri had not been alerted to Russell’s presence, agreeing with the stewards’ assessment that the situation could have been handled more effectively.
Driver Insights
“I think he pulled in a bit too early, then pulled back out, so it was just unfortunate, but it gave me a fright,” Russell remarked. He explained that while drivers are prepared for anything on the track, the slower pace of the pit lane can lead to unexpected surprises.
Practice Session Highlights
Meanwhile, Lando Norris, Piastri’s McLaren teammate, excelled in both practice sessions under difficult stop-start conditions, clocking the fastest lap at Zandvoort in the second session with a time of 1:09.890, just ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Piastri trailed Alonso by mere milliseconds, indicating McLaren’s strong performance at the Dutch GP.
Disruptions in Practice
The anticipated rain for the second session did not materialize, but the practice was marred by several accidents. Lance Stroll from Aston Martin crashed into a fence, halting the session, and when it resumed, Isack Hadjar’s retirement due to power failure led to another delay.
Driver Challenges
Max Verstappen, the hometown favorite, finished fifth after struggling with his Red Bull. Earlier, Norris had topped the first practice session, leading Piastri, who faced difficulties along with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, both of whom underperformed.
Outlook for the Championship
As the season progresses, McLaren is keen to solidify their standing in the Constructors’ Championship. Piastri leads Norris by just nine points, raising questions about teamwork as the championship heats up. Verstappen, currently third overall, is almost 100 points behind Piastri, hoping for favorable weather conditions in Zandvoort to aid his performance.
