ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — The Formula 1 title race is back and the tension is building.

Ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, the first race in four weeks, Oscar Piastri is just nine points ahead of his McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris, who won three of the last four races before the mid-season break.

“The intensity will naturally increase as we get closer to the end of the year, and I’m ready for that,” Piastri said Thursday.

The Australian has won praise for his ability to stay cool in his first season as a true title contender, but he acknowledged that the nerves are there, even if they’re not always obvious.

“I don’t believe anyone that says they don’t get nervous because I don’t think that’s possible, and I think it would be a bit weird if you weren’t nervous,

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