Returning from the summer break with ten races remaining, the Formula 1 season is set for a thrilling climax. The Dutch Grand Prix this weekend kicks off the run to the Abu Dhabi finale in December, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a tight battle for the drivers' championship. Only nine points separate the pair, who are vying for the team's first title since Lewis Hamilton's triumph in 2008.
The advantage has swung between Piastri and Norris throughout the first part of the season, with neither able to claim a decisive upper hand. Piastri's consistency and calm control have edged out Norris, who has made errors while adapting to a car not entirely to his liking. McLaren have maintained a policy of equal treatment, refusing to employ team orders unless one driver builds an unassailable lead. Their relationship remains friendly, with only one minor collision in Canada, for which Norris accepted blame.
Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult first half of the season at Ferrari, describing his performance in Budapest as 'absolutely useless' and even questioning his future in the sport. The seven-time champion has gone 16 races without a podium, the longest drought of his career. However, he has used the break to recharge, posting 'no days off' on social media. The focus for Hamilton and Ferrari is to build confidence and cohesion ahead of the 2026 season, with the car unlikely to see radical improvements this year.
Max Verstappen has committed to staying with Red Bull after the sacking of team principal Christian Horner following the British Grand Prix. The defending champion is set to lose his title but sees the remaining races as crucial for stability and performance. With Red Bull building their own engines for 2026, Verstappen will observe how rival teams fare, and his handling of the team's transition under new boss Laurent Mekies will be closely watched.
