Formula 1 resumes with a Sprint weekend. The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will also adopt this format. Located on the shores of the North Sea, the circuit is 4.259 kilometres long and features 14 corners. Its most distinctive characteristic is its two banked turns (Turns 3 and 14), whose banking angle is even steeper than Indianapolis.
For the event in the Netherlands, the selected compounds are the C2, C3 and C4, the same choice as last year. Opting for a softer trio contributed to a two-stop race, aided by neutralisations, in which all the available compounds were used.
The track, situated just 40 km from Amsterdam, offers a low level of grip both because of the nature of its asphalt, which has been resurfaced in several sections over the years, and because of the sand blown onto the circuit from the nearby beaches. This phenomenon can reduce grip not only from one day to the next, but sometimes even from one session to another.
The Zandvoort circuit is particularly demanding on tyres in terms of energy density, owing to its short lap length and numerous corners, some of them taken at high speed. The two banked turns, with gradients of 19 and 18 degrees respectively, generate extremely high vertical and lateral forces on the tyres.
Teams therefore need to manage car setup carefully and, more generally, the interaction between car and tyres. The level of aerodynamic downforce required is high, very similar to that needed at Budapest, venue of the final round before the summer break.
The Dutch round has been brought forward by one week compared to 2025. In theory, thermal degradation should play a significant role in the middle of August, but temperatures at Zandvoort rarely exceed 20°C and rain is a frequent feature. In addition, the circuit’s proximity to the sea means strong gusts of wind are common, which could affect the drivers, especially with the new aerodynamic regulations.
With the Sprint format making its debut at Zandvoort, teams will have only one hour of free practice available to finalise their car setups. While the Hard is likely to be the reference compound for Sunday’s race, the two softer options could both prove effective choices for Saturday’s Sprint. Overtaking difficulty, caused by the presence of only one straight and the narrow track width, will also be an important factor in Grand Prix strategy.
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