Land-OH NO! as title hopes go up in smoke

LANDO Norris admitted he has a huge mountain to climb in the title race after a late engine failure at the Dutch Grand Prix allowed Oscar Piastri to open up a commanding lead.

- By SCOTT HUNT

A devastated Norris was left sat with his head between his knees by the side of the track at Zandvoort after his engine packed in with seven laps remaining.

Piastri was cruising to a lights-to-flag victory and Norris could offer little threat to his McLaren teammate but was set to bank 18 points for second and keep the Australian's advantage to 16.

He reported smoke from his cockpit on lap 53 and his car soon ground to a halt.

With nine rounds of the 24-race championship remaining, Piastri, who claimed his seventh win of the season, now has a significant advantage and Norris knows his hopes of a maiden title have taken a major hit.

“The only thing I can do is try to win every race. That's going to be difficult but I’ll make sure I give it everything I can’ he said.