Jan Lammers, Sporting Director of the Dutch Grand Prix, has reflected on the recent Zandvoort event and shifted focus to the upcoming race at Monza. Lammers expressed high expectations for Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, whom he refers to as his ‘Italian protégé’. Antonelli currently leads the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship standings.
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, scheduled for September 4-6, will see Antonelli start from the back of the grid. Mercedes confirmed the decision to fit a new power unit, incurring a penalty. This strategic move aims to address earlier reliability concerns and capitalise on Monza’s overtaking opportunities.
Antonelli holds a significant lead in the Drivers’ Championship, accumulating 242 points after 12 of 23 rounds. His Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton are tied for second, both on 183 points. Mercedes also leads the Constructors’ Championship with 425 points.
Lammers’ connection with Antonelli dates back to their karting days, where Lammers’ son René also competed. He noted frequent encounters with Kimi and his father Marco Antonelli. Lammers stated he is not surprised by Antonelli’s strong performance this season.
The former Formula 1 driver highlighted Antonelli’s ‘purity’ and intelligence, drawing comparisons to Max Verstappen’s approach. Lammers is impressed by Antonelli’s composure and ability to manage high expectations, even after experiencing challenging periods in his junior career.
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, held from August 21-23, marked the final running of the event on the Formula 1 calendar. The decision to conclude the contract after this season was attributed to financial risks, as the race is privately funded.
Limited expansion capabilities at the coastal venue also contributed to the departure from the calendar. The 2026 edition notably featured a sprint format for the first time at Zandvoort. Lando Norris secured victory in the main race, with Antonelli finishing second and Russell third.
Max Verstappen’s home race ended prematurely with a heavy crash on the opening lap. The Red Bull driver lost control at the banked final corner, the Arie Luyendykbocht, after hitting a damp patch left by pre-race rain. The incident caused an immediate red flag.
Verstappen admitted to a driver error, misjudging the conditions. Lammers commented on the crash, stating he preferred Verstappen’s ‘all-in’ approach over a ‘colourless’ seventh-place finish. Verstappen currently sits sixth in the championship with 112 points.
Mercedes has faced reliability issues with both Antonelli and Russell’s power units this season. The team opted against introducing an ADUO performance upgrade at Monza, prioritising reliability and cooling efficiency under budget cap considerations.
Lammers also shared a light-hearted anecdote regarding his local Italian restaurant, La Fontanella, in Zandvoort. He noted that Kimi and Marco Antonelli’s recent frequent visits have seemingly diminished his own standing with the owner.
‘Now I’m obviously out of favour,’ Lammers quipped, before adding, ‘But seriously, they are a great family, imbued with decency and correctness.’
