ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) 鈥� Max Verstappen is in , the Dutch Grand Prix is leaving and there’s a long-awaited chance to see how this year’s cars cope in the rain,
F1 returns from its mid-season break with a different sort of challenge for the drivers. Persistent rain fell Friday morning as the Dutch Grand Prix gets under way with only a single practice session before heading straight into qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race.
It’s set to be the first time the 2026 cars and their formidable electrical power have been tried in the rain as part of a race weekend, outside of a brief spell in January’s preseason shakedown runs.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to it. I think it鈥檚 going to be very exciting,” said Kimi Antonelli, who heads into the second half of the season with a 50-point lead in his push to become F1’s youngest-ever champion. “It鈥檚 going be a big challenge for everyone because there鈥檚 so much unknown in wet conditions, but it鈥檚 a condition that I enjoy.鈥�
Ferrari and McLaren optimistic of chasing down Antonelli
The closest challengers to Antonelli and Mercedes’ dominance are back with reasons to be confident.
Lewis Hamilton is second in the standings and returns, he says, the 鈥渇ittest鈥� he’s ever been after a mid-season break rather than partying, and he’s pleased with Ferrari’s innovative approach to developing his car.
Lando Norris won the last race before the break in Hungary for McLaren. The Zandvoort track has some similarities to the Hungaroring in its short straights, twisty layout, but the weather couldn’t be more different, and there are far more vocal orange-wearing Dutch fans cheering on Verstappen.
The Dutch Grand Prix is a unique race. Here’s why it’s leaving
Verstappen may have committed to Red Bull on a new contract through 2030, but there’s no sign of the Dutch race staying beyond this year.
The 80s rock anthem 鈥淭he Final Countdown鈥� rang around the venue Thursday as organizers gear up for the sixth and final race since returning to the F1 calendar in 2021.
The race is a privately run operation in a calendar packed with races that boast government backing. Citing 鈥渞isks and responsibilities,鈥� organizers said in 2024 they’d rather 鈥済o out on a high” with two more races and no more.
Something else makes the Dutch Grand Prix stand out, too. Almost all fans attending are to the track because the seaside resort town puts strict rules on traffic. Instead, they must take the train from Amsterdam or 鈥� in a uniquely Dutch take on F1 鈥� join the tens of thousands riding bikes to Zandvoort.
Lawson and Tsunoda need to learn fast
Liam Lawson only learned on Monday he was being promoted to the main Red Bull team after Isack Hadjar . Lawson has only tried the unfamiliar car on the simulator so far, in a hastily arranged session Wednesday.
Lawson’s promotion means Yuki Tsunoda is back on the grid with Racing Bulls. He hasn’t raced under the new-for-2026 regulations at all.
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