Formula 1 returns from its summer break at Zandvoort this weekend, with the Dutch GP starting the final stretch of the 2026 season after Lando Norris’ breakthrough win in Hungary.
Norris took his first victory of the campaign before the shutdown, while Kimi Antonelli still leads the championship as Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren continue to trade momentum. Zandvoort now gives the field an immediate test on a very different type of circuit, with a sprint weekend leaving little time to settle in.
The Dutch GP also carries extra significance this year, as Zandvoort prepares to host its final Formula 1 race of the modern era. Max Verstappen arrives for his final home grand prix with Red Bull still trying to find more performance in the second half of the season.
Zandvoort is a narrow, fast and demanding seaside circuit, with banked corners and limited room for error. This weekend also follows the sprint format, meaning teams have only one practice session before sprint qualifying sets the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.
Friday brings free practice 1 followed by sprint qualifying later in the afternoon. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Friday’s running at the Dutch GP.
Read Also: Five things to look out for at the F1 Dutch GP How can I watch the F1 Dutch GP?Broadcast coverage of Formula 1 varies by region. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports continues as the championship’s exclusive broadcaster, showing every session live throughout the 2026 season. F1 coverage can also be streamed via Sky Go or NOW, with highlights available free-to-air on Channel 4.
In the United States, Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season, with all sessions available on the platform following a multi-year deal. F1 TV remains the series’ global subscription streaming service.
Motorsport.com will provide live coverage and updates throughout the Dutch GP weekend.
F1 Dutch GP Friday scheduleTimes local to Zandvoort:
Friday, August 21 — free practice 1 — 12:30pm CEST
Friday, August 21 — sprint qualifying — 4:30pm CEST
For UK viewers:
Friday, August 21 — free practice 1 — 11:30am BST
Friday, August 21 — sprint qualifying — 3:30pm BST
For US Eastern Time viewers:
Friday, August 21 — free practice 1 — 6:30am ET
Friday, August 21 — sprint qualifying — 10:30am ET
All times local to Zandvoort:
Friday, August 21 — free practice 1 — 12:30pm CEST
Friday, August 21 — sprint qualifying — 4:30pm CEST
Saturday, August 22 — sprint — 12:00pm CEST
Saturday, August 22 — qualifying — 4:00pm CEST
Sunday, August 23 — 2026 Dutch grand prix — 3:00pm CEST
Dutch GP Friday weather forecastFriday is expected to be mostly cloudy and mild at Zandvoort, with showers possible earlier in the day.
That could make the single practice session more important, especially on a sprint weekend where teams have limited time before competitive running begins. Even if the track is dry for sprint qualifying, Zandvoort’s seaside location means wind and changing conditions can still make the circuit tricky.
Saturday is currently forecast to be cooler, with some morning showers possible before the sprint and qualifying.
Sunday is expected to stay relatively cool for the Dutch grand prix, so tyre behaviour and track position could become bigger factors than heat.
Racing Bulls car in the pitlaneRacing Bulls car in the pitlaneDutch GP track facts Circuit: Zandvoort Location: Zandvoort, Netherlands Event: Dutch GP Circuit type: permanent road course Friday sessions: free practice 1 and sprint qualifying Saturday sessions: sprint and qualifying Race: Sunday, August 23Zandvoort is a fast, narrow seaside circuit with banked corners and little margin for error, making qualifying, confidence and track position especially important.
2026 Formula 1 driver and team rosterTeamDriverDriverMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesGeorge RussellKimi AntonelliRed Bull RacingMax VerstappenIsack HadjarFerrariLewis HamiltonCharles LeclercWilliamsCarlos SainzAlex AlbonRacing BullsLiam LawsonArvid LindbladAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollHaas F1 TeamOliver BearmanEsteban OconAudiNico HulkenbergGabriel BortoletoAlpinePierre GaslyFranco ColapintoCadillac F1 TeamValtteri BottasSergio PerezPhotos from F1 Dutch GP - FridayAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesEric Le Galliot
George Russell, MercedesGeorge Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLarenLando Norris, McLarenSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, AlpineFranco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsCarlos Sainz, WilliamsPauline Ballet / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, AlpinePierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamOliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
McLaren technical detailMcLaren technical detailEric Le Galliot
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMax Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMax Verstappen, Red Bull RacingAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, AlpineFranco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri's Helmet, McLarenOscar Piastri's Helmet, McLarenEric Le Galliot
Pierre Gasly, AlpinePierre Gasly, AlpineAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Ferrari fanFerrari fanEric Le Galliot
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariLewis Hamilton, FerrariEric Le Galliot
Rain drops on a Pirelli tyreRain drops on a Pirelli tyreAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLarenLando Norris, McLarenPauline Ballet / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, FerrariCharles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Mercedes front wing detailMercedes front wing detailEric Le Galliot
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsArvid Lindblad, Racing BullsAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamOliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLarenOscar Piastri, McLarenPauline Ballet / LAT Images via Getty Images
Aston Martin front wing detailAston Martin front wing detailEric Le Galliot
AtmosphereAtmosphereEric Le Galliot
Liam Lawson, Red BullLiam Lawson, Red BullEric Le Galliot
Racing Bulls car in the pitlaneRacing Bulls car in the pitlaneEric Le Galliot
Franco Colapinto, AlpineFranco Colapinto, AlpineSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, AudiGabriel Bortoleto, AudiEric Le Galliot
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingFernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, AlpinePierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Sergio Perez, Cadillac RacingSergio Perez, Cadillac RacingSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
McLaren front wing detailMcLaren front wing detailEric Le Galliot
Andrea Stella, McLarenAndrea Stella, McLarenSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamEsteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Helmet of Lando Norris, McLarenHelmet of Lando Norris, McLarenEric Le Galliot
A general view of the circuitA general view of the circuitAnni Graf - Formula 1 via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, AlpineFranco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, CadillacValtteri Bottas, CadillacEric Le Galliot
Yuki Tsunoda, Racing BullsYuki Tsunoda, Racing BullsEric Le Galliot
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamOliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, AlpinePierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Haas technical detailHaas technical detailEric Le Galliot
Max Verstappen, Red BullMax Verstappen, Red BullEric Le Galliot
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