The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix weekend is underway at Circuit Zandvoort, marking the final Formula 1 event at the circuit under its current agreement. The promoter opted not to extend the contract beyond this season, choosing to conclude its tenure on a high note. This decision, announced in December 2024, means the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal, will replace Zandvoort on the calendar for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
Friday’s sprint qualifying session saw George Russell secure pole position for today’s sprint race. Max Verstappen, the home favourite, qualified sixth for the sprint. Liam Lawson, stepping in for an injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing, will start the sprint from eleventh position.
The unpredictability of a winner for Sunday’s main Grand Prix remains a key talking point. Kimi Antonelli currently leads the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with 219 points. Lewis Hamilton holds second place with 169 points, while Russell is third with 160 points.
Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship with 379 points, followed by Ferrari with 307 points and McLaren with 220 points. Red Bull Racing sits fourth with 177 points. Mercedes and Ferrari are considered favourites for the Zandvoort race, though McLaren and Red Bull Racing are not discounted.
Red Bull Racing faces a challenge this weekend with Isack Hadjar sidelined due to a minor wrist hairline fracture. Hadjar sustained the injury during a gym session over the summer break. His absence is precautionary, with an expected return for the Italian Grand Prix from September 4–6.
Liam Lawson, 24, has been drafted from Racing Bulls to replace Hadjar in the Red Bull RB22. Yuki Tsunoda, in turn, fills Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad. Lawson’s F1 debut also occurred at Zandvoort in 2023, when he replaced an injured Daniel Ricciardo.
Lawson had a brief two-round stint with Red Bull in early 2025 before being demoted to Racing Bulls. He outpaced Verstappen in the first segment of sprint qualifying, demonstrating his adaptability despite limited preparation.
The Zandvoort circuit, measuring 4.259 kilometres with 14 corners, is known for its demanding nature. Its proximity to the North Sea means wind and sand can affect grip. The track features two distinctive banked turns, Turn 3 and Turn 14, with gradients of 19 and 18 degrees respectively, exceeding those at Indianapolis.
The circuit demands high aerodynamic downforce, similar to Budapest, and is particularly taxing on tyres due to its short lap length and numerous high-speed corners. Overtaking is historically difficult due to the narrow track width and limited straights.
This weekend marks the first time Zandvoort hosts a sprint race, making it the fifth of six sprint events in the 2026 season. The format includes only one hour of free practice, followed by sprint qualifying on Friday, the sprint race and main qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The FIA has implemented two Straight Mode (SM) zones for the event, located on the pit straight and between Turn 10 and the Turn 11/12 chicane. Active aero is not permitted through the banked final corner, though drivers can activate Overtake Mode for a battery boost on the banking.
Max Verstappen has won the Dutch Grand Prix three times since its return in 2021. Oscar Piastri secured victory at Zandvoort in 2025. Jim Clark holds the record for most Dutch Grand Prix victories with four wins, achieved in 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1967.
Antonelli stated his goal is to ensure the second half of the season matches the first. He acknowledged McLaren’s new parts and Ferrari’s potential strength, noting Mercedes’ older updates. Russell described Zandvoort as a ‘race of truth’ following a challenging first half of the season. Hamilton expressed a desire to win at Zandvoort, a circuit where he has not yet achieved an F1 victory. Leclerc believes the track suits Ferrari, but success requires a flawless performance. Norris, the reigning champion, views himself as an outsider despite a 2026 race win, citing the car’s inconsistent nature. Piastri aims for a strong result after a difficult season. King Willem-Alexander is scheduled to present the trophy on Sunday.
