Dutch Grand Prix Preview: Verstappen’s Home Race
Dutch Grand Prix Preview: Verstappen’s Home Race
Max Verstappen returns to racing on his home soil, and he’s got a lot of people rooting for him. The race returned in 2021, and the Red Bull driver took the victory in front of his adoring fans, making it a decent return for a race that’s been absent for almost four decades.
Dutch Grand Prix history
The North Sea is a short distance from the Zandvoort Circuit. Sammy Davis, the 1927 Le Mans champion, helped create the original 4.2km circuit, over the sandy terrain of Zandvoort.
Alberto Ascari of Ferrari won the event’s inaugural edition in 1952, with teammates Emilio Farina and Luigi Villoresi rounding out the podium. After that, the Dutch Grand Prix would sometimes appear on the F1 schedule, but it wouldn’t occur again until 1985.
With the announcement that the event will return in 2020, F1 made several improvements to prepare it for the demands of the current F1. Covid-19 prevented the race from happening in 2020, but it did so in 2021, breaking a 36-year streak. The nation has held 31 Grand Prix in total.
Chance of rain at the Dutch Grand Prix?
After his convincing victory in Belgium, Verstappen enters his home nation as the heavy favourite. Still, the weather might make the task a little more complicated. According to different weather forecasts, rain is expected for Saturday and Sunday. The track may not dry out soon despite the temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.
Winless season for Mercedes?
Mercedes started the weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix hoping that Verstappen, Leclerc, and other drivers’ engine penalties would provide the team with its greatest opportunity to win this season.
Instead, Hamilton’s weekend was a complete failure. He and team principal Toto Wolff gave the W13 dismal reviews throughout the competition.
Mercedes’ difficulties were emphasised by a qualifying deficit of 1.8 seconds behind Verstappen. Tyre warm-up in the chilly conditions was a significant issue, and it may return this weekend in the Dutch GP.
It was commonly believed that the new technical directive would include Mercedes in the mix, but this was not the case.
For Mercedes to avoid a first winless season since 2011, there are fewer and fewer races left.
Verstappen’s title certainty
Verstappen now leads teammate Sergio Perez by 93 points and Charles Leclerc by 98 points.
If Verstappen consistently comes in second, it would not be enough even if Leclerc wins the remaining races with a bonus point for the fastest lap.
Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull in 2013 was the only driver to win nine straight races. But unfortunately, Ferrari’s current season has been marred by blunders and unreliability.
Of course, Verstappen and Red Bull state that the title is still very much in play. Still, with eight races remaining, it would take a dramatic collapse for this to once again become a competition.
