ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — 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.

Norris had the edge over Piastri in both of Friday’s practice sessions, while Max Verstappen ended up in a gravel trap.

“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

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