Formula 1 action resumes following the summer break this weekend, as the Dutch Grand Prix is held at Zandvoort.
Hometown hero Max Verstappen will have the pressure on his shoulders, as the reigning champion and Red Bull look for a return to form after failing to win the last four races on the schedule. But, can a passionate home support get Verstappen back on track to win the Drivers’ Championship?
Race Information & Records
The Dutch Grand Prix was first staged on the F1 schedule in 1952, but it has been an ever-present on the calendar since 2021. This weekend’s race is held at Circuit Zandvoort, with a lap of the track covering 4.259 km.
A total race distance covers 306.587 km, meaning that 72 laps will be completed in the Netherlands. Drivers will have 14 corners to navigate around a lap, with two DRS Detection points available to assist with overtaking.
Max Verstappen has won the last three editions of the race, and he will be looking to tie the all-time race wins with Jim Clark on Sunday.
Latest Odds
Verstappen heads the betting for the race this weekend at BetXchange at 7/4. Lando Norris could put pressure on the championship leader on Sunday with a win, which is priced up at 37/20.
Oscar Piastri is the next best price available at 5/1, while Lewis Hamilton is hard to dismiss at 17/2. George Russell is a 10/1 chance, while Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are available at 20/1 and 33/1, respectively.
Race Preview
Another thrilling race on the F1 schedule is set for this weekend, as the unpredictability continues on track. Verstappen appeared to be coasting toward the world championship after wins in seven of the first ten races of the season, but backroom issues appear to have impacted performance in the four final races before the summer break.
The Dutchman retains the top position in the standings, but he has achieved just one podium finish in the last four races. Lando Norris has closed the gap with two top-three finishes over the same period, while Oscar Piastri landed victory in Hungary and claimed second in Belgium to move up to fourth in the standings. The performances of the McLaren drivers have ensured that there is a battle for the Constructors’ Championship in the second half of the season.
However, Mercedes come into the Dutch Grand Prix as the form team after winning three of the last four races. The team looked on track for a famous one-two finish in Belgium, before Russell’s disqualification saw Hamilton upgraded to be the race winner. Charles Leclerc has also bounced back to form in recent outings, achieving a first podium finish since his Monaco win when third in Belgium.
Dutch Grand Prix Prediction
This weekend presents an important opportunity for Verstappen and Red Bull to get their season back on track. At the odds available, it appears worthwhile to side with the reigning world champion landing victory in his home race to re-establish his dominance in the Drivers’ standings.
