Formula 1
The Sweet Taste of Victory, The Bitter Pill of DNF: McLaren’s Dutch GP Paradox
Zandvoort, Netherlands — The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort was a race of two halves for McLaren, a weekend that perfectly encapsulated the brutal duality of Formula 1. On one side, the jubilant celebration of Oscar Piastri’s masterful victory. On the other hand, the crushing defeat of Lando Norris, whose championship hopes were dealt a devastating blow by a late-race mechanical failure
The Unshakable Australian: Piastri Withstands Pressure and Chaos for His 7th Win
McLaren’s dominance was clear. Piastri made a clean start from the front. At the same time, Norris, after a brief tussle with Max Verstappen, quickly reclaimed second place, putting the two papaya-liveried cars in a commanding 1-2 formation. Piastri led with composure, managing his pace and holding a comfortable, albeit slim, advantage over his teammate. Norris, meanwhile, drove with his characteristic blend of speed and aggression, keeping the pressure on Piastri and pulling away from the rest of the field.
With just seven laps remaining, the race’s defining moment arrived. A puff of smoke emerged from the back of Lando Norris’s car. He reported an issue over the radio before being forced to pull off the track, his McLaren coming to a smoky halt. The issue was later confirmed to be a rare mechanical failure—an oil leak—the team’s first race-ending reliability problem in over 60 races.
“It’s a shame to have ended the race like that today, but it was out of my control… I’m pleased with my performance” – Lando Norris(post race)
Verstappen Salvages a Hard-Fought Podium at His Home Race
Max Verstappen delivered a vintage performance of determined racecraft and strategic patience to secure a hard-fought second place at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. With a brilliant start, Verstappen went side-by-side with Norris and, despite a near-spin, managed to make a daring overtake for second place. It was a move that got the crowd on its feet and proved he wasn’t going to give up on a podium fight. He wisely chose to manage his pace and tires rather than ruin his race by trying to keep up with the faster McLarens. This strategic decision ultimately paid off.
Isack Hadjar’s Historic Dutch GP Podium
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, in a truly sensational performance, held his nerve against far more experienced drivers to secure a maiden career podium, marking a historic moment for the young Frenchman and a much-needed morale boost for his team.
While many expected him to fade in the race under pressure from seasoned veterans like Charles Leclerc and George Russell, Hadjar showcased a composure that defied his rookie status. He held his nerve through multiple safety car restarts, fending off attacks and maintaining his position on pure pace. On the podium, Hadjar was embraced by his childhood hero, Max Verstappen, a moment that felt symbolic of a passing of the torch.
Ferrari’s Zandvoort Zero: A Double DNF Delivers a Crushing Blow
With both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc retiring in separate, high-profile incidents, the team left Zandvoort with zero points and a host of questions to answer ahead of their crucial home race at Monza.
First, Lewis Hamilton’s afternoon came to an abrupt and uncharacteristic end on Lap 23. While pushing to make an undercut stick on a rival, the seven-time World Champion ran slightly wide on the banked Turn 3. With a sudden snap of oversteer on a damp patch of the track, he lost control and hit the barrier.
“I’m really not sure [what happened]. I will have to look back at it. As I went up the bank, the rear snapped out and I couldn’t recover. The car was a bit twitchy… My pace was looking pretty decent. I was catching George [Russell] and I think I had the pace of a few cars ahead of me.” – Lewis Hamilton(post crash)
Charles Leclerc, who had shown promising race pace and had recovered some positions, found himself embroiled in a battle with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. On Lap 53, Antonelli, in an aggressive move, understeered into the side of Leclerc’s car at the same infamous Turn 3. The contact sent Leclerc spinning into the wall, ending his race on the spot.
Russell’s Resilience vs. Antonelli’s Rookie Mistakes
Russell qualified his Mercedes W16 in fifth, a solid if not spectacular result that put him in the thick of the midfield battle. Antonelli, meanwhile, continued his up-and-down rookie season, qualifying 11th after an unfortunate spin in an earlier practice session put him on the back foot. Russell’s fourth-place finish was a crucial strategic win in the constructors’ championship. Now, the team looks ahead to Monza, hoping to put the ups and downs of Zandvoort behind them and continue their fight for a healthier points haul.
Kimi’s forward momentum put him in a position to fight for a potential podium, but his race unraveled when he came into contact with Charles Leclerc at the infamous Turn 3. The aggressive move resulted in a 10-second penalty for causing a collision, which, combined with a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, dropped him from a finishing position of sixth to a final classification of 16th.
Points, but No Satisfaction: Aston Martin’s Dutch GP
Lance Stroll delivered a stellar recovery drive from 19th on the grid to finish seventh, a frustrated Fernando Alonso ended his race in eighth, ruing a series of strategic missteps and unfortunate timing that prevented him from fighting for a higher position. The race itself was a story of two very different performances. Lance Stroll’s day was a masterclass in strategic savvy and determined driving. The strategic disadvantage, combined with a car that felt more difficult to handle in traffic than in clean air, led to a visibly angry Alonso. They leave Zandvoort with a valuable 10 points, but know they must find a way to consistently deliver on the promise shown in practice to truly challenge at the front.
“Shoutout to the team for rebuilding the car Friday night and then again Saturday… it was nice to bounce back today.” – Lance Stroll(post race)
Williams’ Albon Delivers
Williams Racing capitalized on the chaos, with Alex Albon delivering a sensational drive to secure a fifth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. The Thai-British driver’s race was a masterclass in opportunistic driving and pure speed. His brilliant opening lap, which saw him vault five positions, was the foundation for his entire race. Albon expertly navigated the first corner traffic to put himself in the top ten, a move that he later credited as being the “perfect race” from his perspective.
However, the mood in the garage was not entirely celebratory. Carlos Sainz’s afternoon was a story of frustration and debate. After a strong start saw him in P9, Sainz came into contact with Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls during a Safety Car restart. The incident, for which Sainz was deemed “wholly or predominantly to blame,” resulted in a 10-second time penalty.
Race Results
Driver’s standings
Constructor Standings
Monza: Temple of speed
The stage is set for a high-octane weekend that could see fortunes turn once again. Iconic, high-speed circuit is a stark contrast to the previous race, demanding a completely different aero philosophy and offering a fresh start for teams looking to reset after a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix. For Scuderia Ferrari, in particular, the weekend is a pilgrimage; after a disastrous double DNF in the Netherlands, they arrive at their home race under immense pressure to deliver a performance worthy of the Tifosi.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
How did Kush Maini perform in the Formula 1 post-season test?
Kush Maini became only the third Indian driver to take part in an official Formula 1 session, after Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.
Kush Maini got a chance to drive Alpine’s 2025 challenger, the A525 in the post-season young driver test on Tuesday following the Abu Dhabi GP. This marked his first time driving a modern Formula 1 machinery, as the previous F1 tests were part of the ‘Testing Previous Cars’ programme. He also became the third Indian driver to take part in a official Formula 1 session, which is more than a decade later.
How were the test cars different from the ones used in 2025 Abu Dhabi GP weekend?
Regular drivers and rookie drivers ran two different types of cars during the test. A mule car adapted to approximate 2026 performance levels was assigned to the senior and more experienced drivers, while lightly modified 2025 cars were used by the young and rookie drivers. It’s also worth noting that a 290-300 kmph speed limit was enforced throughout the test. It should also be noted that the lap times are not representative, as each team follows different run plan and testing objectives set by Pirelli.
The Morning session
Kush Maini took to the track for the first time in modern Formula 1 machinery and set a best time of 1:27.544, just a tenth of a second slower than Pierre Gasly’s 1:27.433. Desi Racing Co understands that both drivers were on a similar run plan and that there was no significant difference in the tyre compounds used.
The Afternoon session
Kush Maini headed out in the afternoon session for two race runs alongside Pierre Gasly. We understand that on one of Maini’s runs, he was quicker than Gasly, while on the second he matched Gasly’s pace. After completing the two runs, Maini’s day came to an end, while Gasly stayed on track for one additional race run.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
Red Bull Promote Arvid Lindblad to Formula 1, a Driver with Indian Heritage
Red Bull has promoted junior driver Arvid Lindblad to Formula 1, confirming that he will join their sister outfit, Racing Bulls, for the 2026 season.
Eighteen-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad has been promoted to Formula 1 for the 2026 season and will line up for Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior team. Lindblad also carries a notable link to India through his mother’s side, a heritage he has acknowledged proudly while speaking about his family background.
Early career
His first full season in cars came in 2023, when he contested the Formula 4 UAE Championship and the Italian F4 Championship. Strong early results, including six wins and a dominant triple victory at Monza, helped establish his reputation. He capped off his F4 campaign by winning the Macau F4 World Cup, a prestigious non-championship event that often serves as a proving ground for future stars.
In 2024, Lindblad stepped into FIA Formula 3 with Prema Racing and delivered one of the standout rookie seasons in memory. A victory in Bahrain made him the youngest F3 winner in history, and a double win at Silverstone underscored his racecraft and maturity. Finishing 4th in the standings and earning the Aramco Best Rookie Award solidified his place among the category’s elite.
The momentum carried into 2025 as he advanced to FIA Formula 2 with Campos Racing. Once again, he made history, claiming a milestone win in Jeddah to become the youngest race winner in F2. Two victories, four podiums, and a 7th-place championship finish highlighted a season of rapid learning and refinement. His trajectory was further validated when he received special dispensation to make his Formula 1 practice debut for Red Bull Racing at Silverstone — an opportunity rarely granted to drivers so early in their careers.
Indian connection
Born in London to a Swedish father and an Indian mother, Arvid Lindblad grew up in a home shaped by more than one culture. His mother, Anita, comes from an Indian family, and that background has remained a quiet but steady part of his life. Arvid Anand Olof Lindblad’s Indian roots come from his mother’s side of the family, a detail he has acknowledged openly when speaking about his upbringing.
“I’m very proud of my Indian heritage. My mum is Indian and I’m very proud of that. I carry that with me.”- Arvid Lindblad
His mother, Anita Ahuja, adds that while Arvid may not wear his Indian identity on his sleeve, it is reflected in the confidence and clarity with which he is navigating his career at such a young age.
“He’s incredibly close to his grandparents, my parents. My mom is Sikh, my dad is Hindu. My husband Stefan and I were married in a Hindu ceremony and a Christian ceremony, and both my sons were baptised in the Church, Gurudwara and Temple. Arvid himself isn’t probably aware of it, but he has deep Indian values – work hard, be humble and be grateful for all we have,” she says.
The closest to an Indian F1 driver?
Although Arvid Lindblad doesn’t race under the Indian flag, he may be the closest connection India has to a Formula 1 driver in the near future. At the moment, it seems unlikely that Kush Maini will get a full-time F1 seat, and the next group of Indian talents are still early in their careers.
Akshay Bohra and Dion Gowda have only just completed their first season in Formula Regional in 2025, which means they are still some steps away from the levels needed for F2 and eventually F1. Another young driver with potential is Aryaman Bansal, who has just finished his debut season in single-seaters, but he too remains several years from reaching the top of the motorsport ladder.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Formula 1
A New Chapter in Mexico — Norris Seizes the Lead, Verstappen Stumbles
Under the blazing sun and deafening roar of the Foro Sol, the Brit delivered a masterclass in control, courage, and composure, claiming victory at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix in stunning fashion.
From the very first corner, chaos reigned. A three-wide battle into Turn 1 saw contact between Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton and Russel scattering carbon fibre and shaking up the order. Amid the carnage, Norris held his nerve — slicing through the opening lap with surgical precision while others scrambled for grip on medium tires.
Norris Dominates as McLaren Turn Mexico City Orange
The 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix turned into a showcase of precision, pace, and pure composure from the papaya outfit as Lando Norris stormed to a commanding victory with 30.3 seconds difference from the second place while Oscar Piastri backed him with a strong top-five finish.
It wasn’t just Norris’ pace that won McLaren the race ,it was their strategic brilliance. With the track temperatures soaring and tyres blistering early, McLaren pulled the trigger first. An early undercut gave Norris clear air, while Red Bull and Ferrari hesitated a lap or two too long.Behind him, Oscar Piastri played the perfect support act — defending fiercely, keeping pressure on rivals, and ensuring both cars stayed in podium contention.As Norris crossed the line, the roar inside the Foro Sol stadium was deafening. Confetti rained down, the grandstands turned papaya orange, and McLaren’s pit wall erupted in celebration.
“When your teammate wins the race, finishing fifth is nothing that extravagant.The car’s not changed for a while now. It’s nothing to do with the car. … Clearly Lando’s found it a bit easier to dial into that and I haven’t. Plenty of analysis to try get on top of that.”
-Oscar Piastri(post race)
Leclerc Salvages Podium Amid Mexican Mayhem
The signs were there early — Ferrari’s pace looked strong in qualifying, with Leclerc lining up on the second row and Lewis Hamilton just behind. Both cars had shown impressive speed through the twisty middle sector, suggesting that if they stayed clear at Turn 1, they could fight McLaren and Red Bull head-on.
As the lights went out, Leclerc dived into the first corner alongside Verstappen, Russel and Lewis. The four cars went wheel-to-wheel, sparks flying — until contact between the Red Bull and the Ferrari sent Leclerc slightly off balance. Carbon fibre scattered, Hamilton and Russel dropped down the order, and Leclerc was forced to regroup in fourth, his chance at victory seemingly gone in seconds.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, endured a frustrating afternoon. Caught in midfield traffic after a slow pit stop, his SF-25 never quite found the rhythm it had in practice. Still, his defensive work kept Ferrari in the points, denying rivals valuable positions.Ferrari leave Mexico knowing they still have the speed to challenge — but the margins are razor thin. With McLaren’s momentum growing and Red Bull wounded, every pit stop and every corner matters more than ever.
“It was very very very dirty off the line and did the best I could to keep the car kind of or bring it back to the safely. And thats all I hope for.”
-Lewis Hamilton(Post race)
Red Bull’s Grit Shines in Mexico’s Madness
For years, Mexico City has been Red Bull territory ,a circuit carved in the name of Max Verstappen, a place where he’s made the impossible look routine. And in 2025, even when chaos reigned and rivals rose, the three-time world champion reminded everyone why he’s still the benchmark ,fighting through damage, strategy swings, and relentless pressure to claw his way onto the podium with a performance soaked in aggression and pride.
As the lights went out at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Verstappen launched hard from the grid. But in the long sprint to Turn 1, three cars, one line, and no mercy. Had contact, sparks flew, Max had to leave the track. Aggressively overtook 3 cars in 4 laps, fire exit over the corners, superfast pitstop, Max was unstoppable on the track. On the 3rd lap, Max met his 2021 rival Lewis Hamilton, collided and Lewis had to leave the track but gained an advantage and hence lodging a 10 second penalty to himself.
With ten laps to go, Verstappen reeled in Leclerc, dive-bomb after a dive-bomb The move was undone . The crowd gasped. Red Bull was back on the podium not by dominance, but by sheer force of will.
“That was quite hectic, and then a bit of rallying in between Turns 1 and 2. That was quite fun!”
-Max Verstappen(Post race)
HA HA HAAS HAS DONE IT!
Haas began the weekend quietly. No one — not even their rivals — expected fireworks. But from the moment the lights went out, the VF-25 looked alive. Bearman launched off the line with the composure of a veteran, threading through the Turn 1 chaos that saw debris fly and big names stumble.By Lap 10, the 20-year-old Brit found himself running inside the top 6, matching the pace of Ferraris and Mercedes on merit. His calm voice over the radio contrasted the storm around him — clear, focused, unshaken.
And when George Russell began to close in during the final laps, Bearman refused to blink. His defensive driving was textbook — calm under pressure, precise in every braking zone. The chequered flag came with thunderous cheers as he crossed the line P4 — just shy of a podium, but miles ahead of expectations.
Ocon, meanwhile, executed a patient race from the midfield. Smart tyre management and a perfectly timed undercut propelled him into the points, cementing Haas’s dream afternoon.
“That’s how we fight — smart, clean, and together.”
– Ocon(post race)
Mercedes Salvage Solid Points in Mexico
The altitude of Mexico City wasn’t kind to the Silver Arrows, but Mercedes once again showed grit and consistency as Kimi Antonelli and George Russell crossed the line P6 and P7, securing valuable points in a weekend that demanded precision over power.
It wasn’t a race of fireworks — it was one of quiet determination. Amidst the chaos of overheating brakes, fading tyres, and the relentless pace of the front-runners, Mercedes found calm in control, keeping both cars within the top 10 from start to finish.The team’s Mexico package didn’t bring the leap they had hoped for, but the consistent performance underlined progress in reliability and race balance — both crucial as the season edges toward its final rounds.
“”It was an afternoon of damage limitation, ultimately, and our championship fight remains nail-bitingly close. Onwards to Brazil”
-Russel (Post Race Debrief)Stake Rookie gets a point!
Gabriel Bortoleto has scored P10 in a hard-fought race. Did crazy overtakes with experienced tire management proved fruitful to Stake getting valuable race while being in contention for the mid-field place in the constructors.
Hulkenburg on the other hand, unfortunately had to split away due to a Power issue in the car resulting in a DNF.
Heart-wrenching weekend comes to an End: Williams Trauma
Williams Racing arrived with quiet confidence — but left with heavy hearts.
What began as a promising weekend ended in frustration, as Carlos Sainz’s race ended prematurely with a heartbreaking DNF due to a contact he had in turn 1, while Alex Albon battled hard but fell just short of the points in an afternoon that tested both car and driver to the limit.
On the other side of the garage, Alex Albon endured a rollercoaster race.A late stint on worn mediums saw him defend valiantly from the Alpines and the Haas of Esteban Ocon — but it wasn’t enough.He eventually crossed the line, agonizingly close to points, leaving the team with nothing to show for a weekend of hard work.
For Team Principal James Vowles, it was a weekend of what-ifs. The team’s Mexico setup looked competitive in qualifying, but the high temperatures and thin air exposed the limits of their cooling package.
Still, the pace shown before Sainz’s retirement gave Williams hope that their updates are moving in the right direction.
“A very difficult day. The positive news is the car was very fast.But we were unable to use it. In the case of Carlos, the race was over after turn 1 and the damage resulted in both a flat spot but also damage to our wheel.”
– James Vowels(post race)
Sao Paulo awaits!
From Verstappen’s podium roar to Bearman’s breakthrough and Sainz’s silent heartbreak, Mexico 2025 was a race that bled emotion.
Every team left with something — some with silverware, others with scars — but all with fire for what’s next.
And as the paddock packs up for São Paulo, one truth remains:
No one’s safe, no one’s settled, and the fight is far from over.
Lets take a look at driver’s championship!
Team Standings heading on!
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
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