The 2024 Formula 1 season restarts after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend.
Max Verstappen returns home as the only winner around this circuit since it was restored to the F1 calendar following a 36-year absence.
Motorsport’s elite arrived at Zandvoort three years ago for the first Dutch Grand Prix since 1985, with the 72-lap old-school track quickly reestablishing itself as a firm fan favourite.
Verstappen has won on home soil in 2021, 2022, and 2023 en route to winning the drivers championships in each of those seasons.
However, the 26-year-old finds himself on a run of four races without a win now, with Red Bull suddenly under threat from McLaren.
Verstappen still holds a dominant 78-point lead over nearest rival Lando Norris, but that is just 42 in the respective constructors.
Mercedes are also in the mix, with a re-energised Lewis Hamilton winning two out of the past three Grands Prix before the break.
And heading into race day, Norris is on pole, and the Dutchman is second.
Dutch Grand Prix: Date and start time
The Dutch Grand Prix will take place from Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25 at the Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
Sunny intervals and moderate winds with some cloud clover are the early forecast across all three days at Zandvoort.
The first two practice sessions will be held on Friday with the opening session starting at 11:30pm and the second at 3pm UK time.
Practice Three is scheduled for at 10:30am on Saturday morning before qualifying gets underway at 2pm later that day.
Lights out for the race is set for 2pm on Sunday afternoon.
Dutch Grand Prix: TV channel and how to follow
The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of Sunday’s Grand Prix getting underway at 12:30pm.
Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £11.98.
Fern Buckley will also have updates of the race from the Netherlands live on talkSPORT.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Dutch Grand Prix: Starting grid
- 1 Lando Norris, McLaren
- 2 Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- 3 Oscar Piastri, McLaren
- 4 George Russell, Mercedes
- 5 Sergio Perez, Red Bull
- 6 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- 7 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
- 8 Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
- 9 Pierre Gasly, Alpine
- 10 Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
- 11 Yuki Tsunoda, VCARB
- 12 Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
- 14 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- 15 Daniel Ricciardo, VCARB
- 16 Esteban Ocon, Alpine
- 17 Valtteri Bottas, Sauber
- 18 Zhou Guanyu, Sauber
- 19 Logan Sargeant, Williams
- Pit lane Kevin Magnussen, Haas
- 20 Alex Albon, Williams
Dutch Grand Prix: What has been said?
Red Bull has dismissed the notion that Verstappen is exceeding the RB20’s potential despite rival teams having seemingly caught up.
Christian Horner‘s team, who won all but one of the 23 races last season such was their dominance, are now no longer the fastest around.
Sergio Perez is languishing in the midfield, but Verstappen has continued to spearhead the charge at the front of the field.
Despite that, Red Bull Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan said: “The work that goes into the car is unwavering.
“I think, if we look back at last year, then if that’s about we set ourselves to have a modest lap time advantage everywhere and carry it through, then yeah, it’s getting a little bit tighter and Max might well reflect upon that.
“But, no, I don’t think Max is flattering it. If Max is pushing himself harder to get a race result because others are closer, that’s the nature of competition, isn’t it?”
Dutch Grand Prix: Driver standings
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull – 277
- Lando Norris, McLaren – 199
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 177
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 167
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – 162
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes – 150
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull – 131
- George Russell, Mercedes – 116
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – 49
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – 24
- Nico Hulkenberg, Haas – 22
- Yuki Tsunoda, RB – 22
- Daniel Ricciardo, RB – 12
- Oliver Bearman, Ferrari – 6
- Pierre Gasly, Alpine – 6
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas – 5
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine – 5
- Alex Albon, Williams – 4
- Zhou Guanyu, Kick Sauber – 0
- Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber – 0
- Logan Sargeant, Williams – 0