Piastri, Norris Resume Formula 1 Title Battle at Dutch Grand Prix

The Formula 1 title race has resumed at the Dutch Grand Prix with Oscar Piastri holding a narrow nine-point lead over his McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris, who has been in strong form, winning three of the last four races before the mid-season break. Norris topped both Friday practice sessions, outpacing Piastri by margins of nearly three-tenths and just under a tenth of a second, signaling a critical advantage heading into qualifying. Both drivers acknowledge the increasing intensity of the championship battle, with Piastri emphasizing the importance of managing nerves and staying calm under pressure. The Zandvoort circuit has proven challenging, with multiple drivers experiencing incidents during practice, highlighting the track's difficulty and the fine margin for error. Max Verstappen faced an early setback by sliding into the gravel during practice, while Aston Martin showed surprising pace, and other contenders like Ferrari struggled. The close performance between Piastri and Norris sets the stage for a tense and competitive remainder of the season.