F1: Dutch GP Returns After the Summer ¡Everything You Need to Know!

Formula 1 returns recharged and ready for action after the summer break, preparing for the fifteenth round of the 2025 season. With ten races to go, every point is crucial in the fight for the drivers’ championship.

Weather forecast and weekend details

Cool temperatures are expected in Zandvoort, around 19°C during the weekend. Friday and Saturday could have rain and possibly thunderstorms. Sunday is forecast to be cloudy, but given the coastal location, the weather can change rapidly.

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For a more in-depth analysis and a preview of the Dutch Grand Prix, listen to the latest episode of Alofoke Deportes’ F1 podcast.

The Zandvoort circuit, famous for its seaside location and sand dunes, will leave the F1 calendar after 2026.

Circuit Statistics and Data

Zandvoort, known for its sand dunes, winds through them in this coastal resort. The circuit is famous for its banked corners, with turn 1 having a gradient of 35%. It is a high-adrenaline circuit with fast straights and technical corners, which often generates exciting races. After operating intermittently between 1952 and 1985, and after several incidents, including fatalities, improvements were made that motivated the return of F1 in 2021. However, with a tight schedule and new races on the horizon, the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix will be the last edition.

Dutch Grand Prix

• Circuit: Circuit Zandvoort; Zandvoort, Netherlands
• First F1 race: 1952
• Lap record: 1:11.097, Lewis Hamilton (2021)
• Laps: 72 laps of 4.3 km. Total distance: 306 km

What makes it special: A technical and challenging circuit with banked turns that test the limits of modern F1 cars. The Dutch fans create a vibrant atmosphere, especially when their local hero, Max Verstappen, leads the race. What the drivers say: “Like sliding on a slide” – Pierre Gasly. Where to watch the race: Tarzan Corner (Turn 1) or Arie Luyendykbocht (Turn 14). The first offers overtaking opportunities and views of the banked Turn 3; the second, Arie Luyendykbocht, is where F1 cars reach their maximum performance. Most victories: Jim Clark with four (1963-1965, 1967). Current drivers with victories at the circuit: Max Verstappen (2021-2023) and Lando Norris (2024). More poles: Verstappen (2021-2023) is tied with René Arnoux (1979-1980, 1982) with three poles. Other current drivers on the grid with poles: Norris (2024).

Fun facts about Zandvoort:

• The race is one of the few where fans, staff, and the media mainly travel by public transport. Shuttle trains connect Amsterdam Centraal and Zandvoort aan Zee every few minutes. Cycling is also an option.
• Max Verstappen is tied with Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda with three victories at the circuit, just one short of Jim Clark’s record.
• The last corner is called Arie Luyendyk, in honor of the Dutch driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner. It has an 18-degree banking, twice that of the four corners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Dutch Grand Prix fans are usually packed with Max Verstappen fans and the ‘Orange Army’.

What happened last year?

Lando Norris, although he didn’t have a good start from pole position in last year’s Dutch Grand Prix, managed to overtake the local hero, Verstappen, on lap 18 to achieve his second career victory. Norris crossed the finish line with a 22-second lead and earned an additional point for the fastest lap.

Who will win?

McLaren has become the safe bet before each race weekend this season, but this is the Dutch GP and rain is in the air. Considering that Oscar Piastri and Norris will have the title in mind, we take a risk and predict a popular victory for Verstappen in rainy conditions.

This is how the championships are

Piastri has led the championship for most of the year, but with a difference of only nine points, will he still be the leader after Sunday’s race? Verstappen is third and needs spectacular improvements to reduce the 88-point gap that separates him from Norris. Meanwhile, McLaren seems to have the constructors’ championship practically secured, as they are 299 points ahead of Ferrari, the best of the rest.

Grand Prix Schedule (BST)