Oscar Piastri took the biggest step towards his first world championship yet at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Lando Norris looked like the driver to beat after topping all three practice sessions at Zandvoort.

However, it was his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri who took the fifth pole position of his career, beating Norris’ best time by 12 thousandths of a second.

Overtaking at the Dutch Grand Prix is never easy, given how narrow the track is, but that didn’t stop Max Verstappen from getting the better of Norris off the line.

That allowed Piastri to open up a gap over Norris as he eventually found a way back past the Red Bull, although two safety cars, brought out by both Ferrari drivers crashing out, neutralised his advantage.

Damon Hill was impressed by Piastri’s performance, and the Australian never looked flustered throughout the race.

The Dutch Grand Prix never had the thrilling conclusion many hoped for when Norris suffered a mechanical fault and retired from the race.

Even when Verstappen was on the soft compound tyres directly behind Piastri on the hards, he wasn’t able to challenge the drivers’ championship leader.

It’s led to comparisons with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, and Piastri responded to those claims after the race.

Photo by Gabriele Lanzo – Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Oscar Piastri says he’s got a ‘long way to go’ after being compared to Michael Schumacher

Piastri was asked in the official post-race press conference about how his personal relationship with Norris has changed this season, and what he makes of being compared to Michael Schumacher.

The championship leader responded: “The relationship between Lando and I has not changed.

“If anything, we know each other better now and actually probably get on better than before.

“Anytime you get mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Schumacher, that’s a good thing.

“I’ve got a hell of a long way to go to be talked about in the same air as someone like him, but I’ll take it.”

Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images

Who reached nine F1 Grand Prix victories faster – Oscar Piastri or Michael Schumacher?

Statistically, Schumacher is one of the greatest drivers of all time, with only Lewis Hamilton beating his tally of pole positions and race victories.

The German took part in one race for Jordan before being signed by Benetton, who had a similar trajectory to McLaren in the 1990s, going from a decent midfield team to championship winners while Schumacher was with the team.

The Dutch Grand Prix was Piastri’s 61st start in Formula 1, and to reach nine wins in that time is very impressive.

It took Lewis Hamilton 34 races to reach that number, while Schumacher did it in 48 attempts, winning the 1994 Hungarian Grand Prix on his way to his first championship.

Mark Webber was asked about Piastri matching his winning record, and it won’t be long before he surpasses that number, and he’s already beaten Daniel Ricciardo’s tally of eight wins.

Alan Jones (12) and Jack Brabham (14) are the only Australians above Piastri in terms of Formula 1 wins, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Piastri overtook both world champions by the end of this season.