Dutch Grand Prix: Race Preview

After a three-week summer recess, Formula 1 returns to competition at the seaside, with the coastal Zandvoort the venue for the Dutch Grand Prix. A race track was laid out through the dunes adjacent to the North Sea in the late 1940s, and the Dutch Grand Prix was a fixture of the calendar through the early decades of Formula 1. It was abandoned after 1985, with Zandvoort’s layout shortened and amended, before the rise of Max Verstappen prompted organizers to re-join the Formula 1 landscape in 2021. The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is set to be the final event under its current guise, leaving the calendar after this season.

Zandvoort’s circuit features a mixture of corners, with some parts of the track traceable to its post-war origins, and others only introduced in 2021. The opening half of the lap features fast and flowing corners, such as the high-speed Schievlak, while the second half is flatter and more open. Zandvoort’s prominent corners are Turn 3, known as Hugenholtzbocht, which has 18-degree banking that offers different racing lines and requires full commitment, and the final turn, Arie Luyendykbocht, which has 15–18-degree banking that leads drivers onto the pit straight.

As part of the Dutch Grand Prix’s swansong, the event will host F1 Sprint for the first time in its history, marking the fifth of six appearances for the multi-race format in 2026.

F1 Academy will also return to action at Zandvoort, with Kaylee Countryman resuming her rookie campaign in TGR Haas F1 Team colors.

LAST TIME OUT
Ollie Bearman surged from the pit lane to a fine sixth-place at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix while Esteban Ocon rose eight places to finish tenth, securing a double-points finish for TGR Haas F1 Team.

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal:

“It goes without saying that we’re excited to get back racing this weekend at Zandvoort – a venue that boasts just an incredible atmosphere thanks to the passion of all the Dutch fans. It’s no secret that we experienced a challenging run of races before the summer shutdown, so the break came at a good time to allow everyone on the team an opportunity to rest and reset ahead of the second half of the season. We’re straight into it though with a Sprint weekend, which means we’ve really got to be at our best operationally from the very start with just one practice session. Zandvoort presents plenty of challenges as a circuit but I’m looking forward to seeing how we come back and respond as a team.”

Ollie Bearman:

“We’re back, and the break was much needed for both the team and me. It was great to spend time with family and friends, turning my phone onto ‘do not disturb’ and having some free time to enjoy my other hobbies! The aim for the second half of the season is to execute to the best of my ability and ensure we’re working cohesively together to get the best result within our control. I love Zandvoort, and it’s a shame that this is its last year on the Formula 1 calendar – the atmosphere is unrivalled, the orange army is out in full force, and the track is so unique. I’m looking forward to getting back to racing.”

Esteban Ocon:

“It’s been great to unwind over the summer break with friends and family. It’s been important for everyone to have that opportunity to reset ahead of what promises to be a busy second half of the season. We’re ready to get back racing and see what we can achieve. Zandvoort is a fantastic venue to kick off the second half of the year. The fans always create an incredible atmosphere, and the track is a fun one to drive. We've faced a few challenges during the first half of the season, so we’ll be looking to build on the consistency we showed in Hungary. With it being a Sprint weekend, we’ll need to make the most of every session and get the most out of the package from the outset.”