The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at the Zandvoort circuit was a spectacle that rocked the Formula 1 world, with Oscar Piastri’s convincing victory, a surprise podium finish for rookie Isack Hadjar, and a dramatic retirement from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc due to a collision.

But it was Max Verstappen, the Dutch superstar, who stole the spotlight after the race in an exclusive interview with  Viaplay , where he spoke candidly about Leclerc’s misfortune and their fierce rivalry. “It was a wild race, but P2 feels like a gift,” Verstappen said, his words resonating with sportsmanship and realism as he discussed the chaos at Zandvoort.

The race began with McLaren dominance, with Piastri on pole and Lando Norris alongside him. Verstappen, who started from P3, made a bold move in Turn 3, passing Norris for P2, to the delight of the orange crowd. “I knew I had to strike early,” he told Viaplay .

His race wasn’t without its risks, however; he nearly slid off the track at the Hugenholtz corner due to sand on the asphalt, but retained his position. Leclerc, who started from P6 after a disappointing qualifying, fought his way back to P4 before a collision with Kimi Antonelli on lap 42 damaged his Ferrari, resulting in his DNF. Verstappen, who held on to P2 behind Piastri, capitalized on the chaos and celebrated his home podium.

Verstappen was empathetic but level-headed about Leclerc’s retirement. “It’s tough for Charles. He had strong pace, but these things happen,” he told Viaplay . “We couldn’t keep up with the McLarens, so this second place was a bonus.” His words reflected respect for Leclerc, whose disappointment was clear.

Leclerc, who lamented his “terrible” qualifying on team radio, called the collision with Antonelli “frustrating” in a  Sky Sports interview. “I felt we could score today,” he said, as he set his sights on Monza. Verstappen also praised Hadjar’s podium: “Isack was incredible. A rookie in P3 here is something special.”

The race was a turning point in the 2025 championship. Piastri’s victory extended his lead over Norris to 34 points, while Verstappen, with 205 points, sits firmly in third place. Leclerc’s DNF cost Ferrari crucial points, dropping him further behind in the title fight. “Charles is a fighter, he will be back,” said Verstappen, acknowledging that Ferrari’s pace at Zandvoort was impressive despite the setback. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner pointed to tire wear as a weakness but was pleased with Verstappen’s “damage limitation” in a race where McLaren seemed unbeatable.

The chaos at Zandvoort was exacerbated by three safety cars, partly due to Lewis Hamilton’s crashes and Leclerc’s incident with Antonelli, which resulted in a penalty. Social media was abuzz with reactions.

On X, one fan wrote: “Max takes P2, but what a drama for Leclerc!” Another praised Hadjar: “That boy is a future champion!” Verstappen’s sporting attitude won praise, with one post emphasising his “class”. The race underlined the unpredictability of Formula 1, where a single collision can shatter the chances of a top driver.

With Monza approaching, Leclerc is looking to recover on Ferrari’s home track, while Verstappen hopes to improve Red Bull’s pace. “We have to push harder,” he said, determined to challenge McLaren. His reflection on Leclerc’s DNF showed a champion who values ​​both competition and camaraderie.

The Dutch fans, who painted Zandvoort orange, celebrated Verstappen’s podium as if it were a victory, but the question remains: can he overtake the McLarens in the championship? For Leclerc, Monza is an opportunity to turn adversity into triumph. The Formula 1 world is eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this intense battle.