A late race collision prevented Liam Lawson from scoring points at the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, despite him being on track for a potential career-best finish.
Lawson was running seventh in a chaotic race, ultimately won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, and was in a strong position to at least match his previous best result of sixth when a safety car was deployed.
Shortly after the restart, Lawson’s Racing Bulls car was hit by Carlos Sainz from Williams, forcing him to pit for a repair on his left rear tire, causing him to drop several positions in the process. Sainz initially blamed Lawson for the incident but received a 10-second penalty for not leaving enough space.
“It’s frustrating for both of us,” Lawson commented after the race. “It’s lap one during a restart, so it’s not my intention to cause issues. Unfortunately, that’s racing, and the rules are clear. He wasn’t ahead at the apex, and that’s why he’s penalized.”
Piastri’s Victory
Piastri’s win has expanded his championship lead to 34 points as his teammate Lando Norris faced disappointment. On a dramatic day where Ferrari drivers crashed out, Norris, in second place, was forced to retire due to smoke in the cockpit, just laps before the finish.
Max Verstappen secured second place for Red Bull, while rookie Isack Hadjar claimed his first podium finish in third, celebrating his achievement. Had Norris finished ahead of Piastri, the championship gap would have been significantly reduced.
Hadjar’s Success
Hadjar’s podium finish marks a promising entry into Formula 1, making him the fifth-youngest driver to reach the top three. He shared the track with Verstappen and expressed his admiration for the seasoned driver.
Lawson praised his teammate’s performance, saying, “I’m thrilled for the team. Isack drove remarkably well, and earning a podium is truly deserved after all the hard work the team has put in.”
– RNZ / Reuters
