5 things we learned from 2025 Dutch GP

We offer our thoughts following each race weekend this year. Here are our 5 takeaways after the Dutch Grand Prix.

Lando Norris has tough climb ahead

Irony can be cruel. Lando Norris found that out firsthand during Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix. In a season where Norris has been - sometimes unfairly - criticized and questioned for his mistakes and ability to handle pressure, it was Lady Luck who delivered the most impactful blow to his title chances.

Norris' championship chase may have quite literally gone up in smoke on Lap 65, as he was forced to retire due to a mechanical issue. The incident marked McLaren's first retirement caused solely by a mechanical gremlin since the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, 60 races ago. It couldn't have come at a worse time.

The British driver was about one second behind race leader Oscar Piastri before his retirement. Now, he's 34 points back of the championship with nine race weekends to go.

History says Norris isn't dead yet. Sebastian Vettel overcame a 39-point deficit with seven races left to win the 2012 title. However, there were numerous contenders then. This fight is solely between Piastri and Norris, who will need the best nine-race stretch of his career.

Isack Hadjar has a coming-of-age moment

If there was any doubt before, there shouldn't be now: Hadjar is the real deal and a surefire pick for rookie of the year.

Hadjar, who'd hit the rookie wall prior to the summer break with just one point scored over his last five grand prix weekends, bounced back bigger than anyone could've imagined. He qualified fourth ahead of all Mercedes and Ferrari cars. More shockingly, Hadjar then brilliantly defended his place from challengers Charles Leclerc and George Russell. The performance was already a contender for one of the best drives of the year, but Hadjar was rewarded with a promotion to a podium spot due to Norris' retirement.

Zandvoort added accolades to Hadjar's already impressive resume. The French youngster is one of only six drivers who haven't been eliminated in Q1 this season, joining both McLaren drivers, Leclerc, Russell, and Max Verstappen. Hadjar is the fifth-youngest driver in F1 history to stand on the podium. It probably won't be long until he's being discussed for a promotion to Red Bull.

Kimi Antonelli is in a crisis

Antonelli is in the midst of a spiral that appears to have no end in sight. His disastrous run hit a new low point in Zandvoort after he received multiple penalties, including one for taking out Leclerc with a lousy overtake on Lap 53.

With his penalties for causing a collision and speeding in the pit lane, Antonelli ended Sunday's race out of the points. He's scored only one point over his last five races and just 16 points over his last nine. Fifteen of those points came from his podium in Montreal.

It might be time for Mercedes to ask how many more disasters can happen before the development of its prodigy is permanently affected. The stakes and pressure for the 19-year-old rookie aren't going to disappear either: The Italian's next race is a home grand prix in Monza.

Hamilton not doing himself any favors

The seven-time world champion took one step forward and several steps back in Zandvoort. After the team and Hamilton made strides from Friday's practice through qualifying, it was looking like the exact weekend the British driver needed to start the second stage of the season on the right note.

There would be no redemption arc, though, thanks to a series of self-inflicted mistakes. Hamilton crashed at Turn 3, ending his race prematurely. He later got a five-place grid penalty for Monza for failing to slow under double yellow flags on the reconnaissance laps before Sunday's race. Hamilton hasn't scored points in two straight races, and 12 drivers have outscored him over the last three grand prix weekends (six points).

Hamilton was supposed to receive a hero's welcome on his first trip to Monza in Ferrari red. It won't quite be that, but all can be forgiven in the minds of the Tifosi with a positive showing. This could be a pivotal point in the Hamilton-Ferrari fairy tale.

The racing guidelines lack common sense

Carlos Sainz couldn't believe the FIA gave him a 10-second penalty for his role in a collision with Liam Lawson, calling it "the most ridiculous thing I've heard in my life."

The crash between the two drivers was the latest disconnect between the FIA's racing guidelines and the naked eye. It seemed clear that Lawson caused the collision by drifting wide at Turn 1. However, because the racing guidelines almost always favor the driver on the inside, the stewards deemed Sainz at fault for attempting a move around the outside without his front axle being ahead.

The guidelines that were introduced to solve a problem have instead created another dilemma: The pilot on the inside can rule with an iron fist, thus killing any overtaking opportunities on the outside.