F1 returns to Max Verstappen’s home circuit & the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend. Can he continue his hot streak for a fourth win in a row?
Last weekend at Spa the stage seemed set for some dramatic racing with both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc starting outside the top 10 due to engine penalties. Yet, just 12 laps in, it was already a Max masterclass, with Verstappen having fought from 14th to first. By half distance, it was already a runaway victory.
The Red Bull was certainly miles ahead of the competition in Spa, as evidenced by Sergio Perez’s P2 finish. But Max was miles ahead of Perez himself, finishing 17 seconds clear of his teammate after starting 12 positions behind him. Max is in the best form of his career, with nine wins through 14 races including wins in the last three races of the season, the second time in 2022 he’s won three in a row.
Last year, Max became the fourth driver to ever win double-digit races in a season with 10 wins. With nine wins so far and eight races remaining, he can rewrite the record books. Only Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel have won more races in a season, with Vettel and Schumacher tied for first with 13 wins.
At this point, it’s hard to see what will stop Verstappen. Zandvoort should bring Ferrari closer to Red Bull due to its slower and more twisty nature, but even when things go wrong this season they seem to end up right for Max. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the Netherlands last year was a sight to behold, and the track itself is unique, with banked turns like NASCAR and tight technical sections to challenge the drivers. Whether it’s a tight finish or another Sunday breeze for the championship leader, F1 at Zandvoort is a fun time.
The Circuit
F1 is back in the Netherlands for the second year in a row at Circuit Zandvoort after last racing at the circuit in 1985. The 4.259 km (2.646 mi) circuit is the second-shortest on the calendar, a stark contrast to Spa last weekend which is the longest.
Going through a lap of the track, the drivers brake hard after the main straight for a swooping right-handed Turn 1. It’s then a short run to Turn 2 which is a flick to the right before coming back to the 18-degree banked Turn 3, where drivers will use several different lines throughout the weekend. After Turn 3 it’s a flat-out run through the twisty section that leads to Turn 7, a daring right-hander that can make or break the lap. It’s all about precision and pure bravery from the drivers there.
Turns 8 and 9 are two progressively slower corners to the right before the long left-handed Turn 10 into the back straight and DRS zone 1. Turns 11 and 12 are a quick, rounded chicane into the final two corners, the last being another 18-degree banked turn back onto the main straight.
You’ll notice in the graphic below that the second DRS activation zone comes before Turn 14. This is a new placement for this year. Last year F1 decided to only use the DRS on the main straight citing safety concerns. This year, however, the drivers will use DRS through the final banked corner and will have to brave it out to get that extra speed advantage.
Championship Standings
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing – 284 points
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing – 191 points
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 186 points
- Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari – 171 points
- George Russell, Mercedes – 170 points
Race Predictions – Dutch Grand Prix
Max Verstappen is in a league of his own at the moment. Until he proves me wrong, I’m going to back him in every race. I think Ferrari will improve, but they need to take a huge leap forward from what we saw in Belgium to fight with Max. Sergio Perez qualified poorly here in 2021. I could see him doing the same and getting into some midfield squabbles.
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- George Russell, Mercedes
How To Watch – F1 at Zandvoort (United States TV Schedule, All Times EST)
- Practice 1: Friday, September 2 – 6:25 a.m. – ESPNU
- Practice 2: Friday, September 2 – 9:55 a.m. – ESPN2
- Practice 3: Saturday, September 3 – 5:55 a.m. – ESPN2
- Qualifying: Saturday, September 3 – 8:55 a.m. – ESPN2
- Dutch Grand Prix: Sunday, September 4 – 8:55 a.m. – ESPN
