Formula One Preview: Dutch Grand Prix
- Peter Johnson
- 6 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Written by Peter Johnson, Edited by Meghana Sree
Formula One returns after an interminably long summer break, with the Drivers’ Championship battle one of the tightest of the last decade and just ten races left to decide its fate. Exactly half of the 34 previous races at Zandvoort were won by the man who went on to become World Champion at the end of the season, so it could be a decisive weekend for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Circuit Guide
Carved into sand dunes on the North Sea coast lies Zandvoort, the host of all 34 previous World Championship Dutch Grand Prix (The Dutch Grand Prix was also held in 1950 and 1951 but did not count towards the F1 World Championship).
Following a 35-year hiatus, significant redevelopment and a further one-year delay due to Covid, the circuit returned to the calendar in 2021.
The track is very old-school in its character and is a hit with the drivers and Dutch fans alike, although its popularity was not enough to prolong its return to the sport beyond 2026.
Max Verstappen won his home race for three consecutive years, before Norris seized victory last season, with what was notably his first win from pole position.
Weekend Format
We still have three sprint weekends remaining this season, but the Dutch Grand Prix is not one of them. The weekend schedule therefore follows the traditional order.
Session times (BST)
Practice 1: Friday 11:30
Practice 2: Friday 15:00
Practice 3: Saturday 10:30
Qualifying: Saturday 14:00
Race: Sunday 14:00
Weather Forecast
The Dutch Grand Prix has been shaken up by wet weather in recent years, most notably in 2023, a race which saw more on-track overtakes than any other in the sport’s history.
Tantalisingly, the current weather forecast is for rain to fall non-stop from Thursday night through the rest of the weekend. Here’s to hoping for a race more resemblant of that in 2023 than the infamous Belgian Grand Prix in 2021.
Major Talking Points
Cadillac’s 2026 driver lineup: It’s nothing we didn’t strongly suspect already, but on Tuesday Cadillac officially announced their first-ever driver pairing ahead of their entry to the sport next season. In Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, the American outfit have recruited arguably the most famous pair of second drivers of their generation – but the duo boast 16 wins, 106 podiums and over 500 race starts between them and will surely make a formidable lineup.
The titanic title tussle: With three victories in the last four races, Norris has dragged himself back into title contention after his embarrassing error in Canada threatened to damage his championship hopes beyond repair. Piastri has led the way since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix back in April, but with Norris now just nine points in arrears, a second straight win at Zandvoort could take him back to the top.
Can Ferrari rediscover their mojo?: Ferrari limped into the summer break with a frustrating string of weekends, with Charles Leclerc’s podiums in Austria and Belgium and pole in Hungary perhaps papering over a few cracks. Lewis Hamilton said there would be “some tears” during the recess, but have last year’s championship challengers been able to put things right?
Past Dutch Grands Prix
17 of the 34 World Championship Grands Prix at Zandvoort were won by the eventual World Champion, a trend begun by Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953 and most recently followed up by Max Verstappen between 2021 and 2023.
Jo Bonnier (1959), Wolfgang von Trips (1961), Graham Hill (1962) and James Hunt (1975) all claimed their maiden victories at Zandvoort, while Niki Lauda is one of several drivers to claim his final win in the Netherlands, as he did when he seized victory for the 25th and final time in 1985.
The 2023 edition of the Dutch Grand Prix was another one for the history books, with its 186 on-track passes (aided by changeable weather conditions) an all-time record.
Last Race Recap
Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix at the start of August, giving him his third victory in four races and 99 points from a possible 108 (including the sprint in Belgium).
Leclerc started the race on pole for Ferrari, but a sub-par strategy from the Scuderia ultimately saw the Monégasque driver drop down the order and come home in fourth.
Norris made his sole pit stop on Lap 31 of 70, while Piastri made an additional second stop on Lap 45 and closed in rapidly on his teammate in the closing stages. In a grandstand finish, the Australian tried multiple lunges into the first corner, none of which were successful, and crossed the line within half a second of his championship rival.
Drivers to Watch
Lando Norris: Of course, with the wind in his sails heading into the summer break, there is no reason to bet against Norris being in scintillating form again. His victory here last year, which also banished a few demons regarding his poor pole-to-win record, means that Zandvoort has history as a happy hunting ground.
Max Verstappen: The Dutchman won his home Grand Prix three times in succession between 2021 and 2023, and took the race to Norris last year when he claimed the lead at the start. His two victories so far this season came at Suzuka and Imola, tracks which are also composed of fast, sweeping corners, which could benefit his Red Bull car.
Oscar Piastri: On the overall basis of the first 14 races this season, it is hard to argue against Piastri being the deserved championship leader. However, there is no escaping the fact that he is coming under mounting pressure from his teammate, perhaps more down to Norris’ upturn in form than any drop off from the Australian. If Norris is not at the top of his game in Zandvoort, expect Piastri to punish him.
Peter’s Prediction
Given Norris’ form heading into the summer recess, it makes little sense to bet against him. However, the break without doubt came at a better time for Piastri and it would be foolish not to expect him to come out swinging as we enter the title run-in.
In a championship battle that has already seen several momentum swings between the two protagonists, this could be the moment for the pendulum to swing back towards the Australian.
On balance it’s a close one, but I will go with Norris.
