Formula 1: Halfway Through The Season Update & The Dutch Grand Prix

No need to worry, everyone—F1 is back this weekend after the August break! There’s been a lot happening since the last race in Belgium, so let’s dive into what’s buzzing as the teams head to Zandvoort.

Zandvoort Track Stats

• Track Built: Opened in 1948, inspired by the post-war motorsport boom in Europe.

• Original Layout: Combined permanent track and public roads through the Zandvoort sand dunes.

• Designer: The Dutch Automobile Racing Club consulted 1927 Le Mans winner Sammy Davis for the original 4.2km track layout.

• First Grand Prix: Held in 1952, won by Alberto Ascari, leading a Ferrari 1-2-3 finish.

• F1 History: Hosted F1 races intermittently until 1985, then returned in 2021 after a 36-year break (originally planned for 2020, delayed due to Covid-19).

• Circuit Description: Known for being “really quick,” “pretty insane,” “crazy,” “old-school,” and “undulating.”

• Track Features: The track flows through sand dunes, creating a rollercoaster-like feel, with the Tarzan corner featuring a steep 18-degree banking angle.

The Zandvoort Party

Zandvoort is the perfect place for F1’s comeback after the summer break. The atmosphere is electric, the fans are wild, and the track is a blast. Last year’s rain couldn’t stop Max Verstappen from dominating his home race, but this year might be his biggest challenge yet. Even so, he’s in a strong position after a solid performance in Belgium, so all eyes will be on him to see if he can keep his winning streak alive.

McLaren’s Push to Catch Red Bull

Red Bull still leads both championships, but McLaren was closing the gap before the break. With just a 42-point difference now, McLaren could theoretically take the lead this weekend—though it would take a perfect storm of events. Ferrari’s also in the mix, so it’s going to be a tight battle at the top. And let’s not forget Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton winning two of the last three races. Can they keep that momentum going? The competition is fierce, and it’s thrilling to have racing back.

Sainz’s Move to Williams

After what felt like forever, Carlos Sainz has finally made his decision and will be driving for Williams starting in 2025. He had a lot of options earlier in the season, and now everyone’s going to be curious about why he chose Williams. With Sainz off the market, expect some movement from other teams like Alpine and Sauber, who were also eyeing him. And with Mercedes still figuring out who will replace Lewis Hamilton, the driver market might get even more interesting.

Ricciardo’s Situation at Red Bull

Sergio Perez’s future was also sorted right after the Belgian GP, with Red Bull deciding to stick with him and focus on making the car easier for him to handle. This means no promotion for Daniel Ricciardo, so he’s got to seriously impress in the second half of the season if he wants to stay in the game. With Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, and other teams still sorting out their 2025 line-ups, Ricciardo’s future is anything but certain.

New Team Principals

Alpine and Sauber, both teams that were interested in Sainz, have made some big moves of their own. Alpine has brought in Oliver Oakes as their new Team Principal, and he’s got a big task ahead to stabilize the team. Sauber has hired Jonathan Wheatley from Red Bull, but he won’t start until 2025. These changes are sure to be hot topics in the paddock, especially with Red Bull feeling the impact of Wheatley’s departure.