Official 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

After an excellent Hungary weekend, we’re back in Zandvoort after the summer break. Hope it’s a good one as it’s the last time we’re here for a while, but at least we’ve still got Qatar.

This will be an interesting test for Mercedes- have McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull really caught them? McLaren is bringing the other half of its Hungary upgrade to the Netherlands, and Oscar won here last year…..

The big focus away from the front of the grid will be the upgraded Honda engine (the battery is unchanged apparently). I thought people got a bit carried away with the improved Aston in Hungary, it was still 2 seconds of the pace and it will be fascinating to see how they get on here.

Norris gets my vote for the win again, as the McLaren should be quick.

Here’s to a great race.

Date(s): Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2026

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of competitive sessions.





2025 Highlights: Oscar win

https://youtu.be/JIRqdeNl2cU?si=1-X8H3roIvt_foyn

Tyres:

Medium compounds:



2025 Result:

[PhilAsia]

Thanks PiaP!

One of the better tracks for Formula Dodgy Alternator I would think...

[Diderot]

Thanks as ever PiaP.

Lando goes very well here - pulled 22 seconds on Max in 2024. So have voted for him.

[Sandpit Steve]

Yay, only one week to go!

Difficult to predict this one as all the teams will be bringing many updates to their cars and engines.

Thankfully a good track for the power units, before we head to the clipping nightmare that will be Monza.

Shame it’s the last race scheduled here, it should have gone on for longer after all they spent bringing the place up to Grade 1 standards. It’s not as if it’s going to be difficult to sell tickets when there’s a local driver doing well.

[garythesign]

Thanks for posting PiaP

Seems an age since your last one

Hope your cats are getting on

[Milkyway]

I went to Zandvoort back in the early eighties... It reminded me of some of our National tracks. (UK).
(I can remember the sand in the air)

[gtsralph]

Milkyway said:

I went to Zandvoort back in the early eighties... It reminded me of some of our National tracks. (UK).
(I can remember the sand in the air)

Try doing a trackday there, great circuit these days

[HocusPocus]

That summer break has flown by. Back to business.

I think Max will win here, and Piastri is due a decent race.

[TheDeuce]

I expect Mercedes still maintain a decent overall advantage, despite others positive leaps forward.

Could it be a Max win here? It wouldn't surprise me in the least as they're highly likely to push the power mode of his ICE for his home race - it's worth taking another ICE component later in the season for home win by the superstar I expect!

I expect this circuit to compliment the otherwise limited performance of these cars.

[Milkyway]

RBR have two upgrades in the pipeline... aero & engine.
I think that it's aero this weekend.
(Hope they have enough power to ride the banking).

NB: We will have to wait until Aberbaizan for the Honda upgrade(s).

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 16th August 16:11

[thegreenhell]

Milkyway said:

RBR have two upgrades in the pipeline... aero & engine.
I think that it's aero this weekend.
(Hope they have enough power to ride the banking).

NB: We will have to wait until Aberbaizan for the Honda upgrade(s).

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 16th August 16:11

Red Bull aren't allowed any engine upgrades, are they? They are already "the bestest".

[Milkyway]

thegreenhell said:

Red Bull aren't allowed any engine upgrades, are they? They are already "the bestest".

Obviously they want to be the best of the bestest.

[Piginapoke]

Milkyway said:

RBR have two upgrades in the pipeline... aero & engine.
I think that it's aero this weekend.
(Hope they have enough power to ride the banking).

NB: We will have to wait until Aberbaizan for the Honda upgrade(s).

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 16th August 16:11

Hi, media generally reporting Honda will introduce the upgrade engine at the Dutch GP, it tested it after the Hungary GP.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-honda-reve...

Edited by Piginapoke on Sunday 16th August 20:27

[Milkyway]

Piginapoke said:

Hi, media generally reporting Honda will introduce the upgrade engine at the Dutch GP, it tested it after the Hungary GP.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-honda-reve...

Edited by Piginapoke on Sunday 16th August 20:27

[Smollet]

Russell is doing his bit for Eurovision. Nil points so far. I hope he wins.

[Milkyway]

Milkyway said:

Piginapoke said:

Hi, media generally reporting Honda will introduce the upgrade engine at the Dutch GP, it tested it after the Hungary GP.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-honda-reve...

Edited by Piginapoke on Sunday 16th August 20:27

Humblest apologies again.

It was Adrian Newey at the Hungarian GP that was talking about the upgrades.
So.... watch this space.
(NB: I've had a few sleeps since Hungary).

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 16th August 20:47

[G321]

Milkyway said:

I went to Zandvoort back in the early eighties... It reminded me of some of our National tracks. (UK).
(I can remember the sand in the air)

I went there in 2005 for the DTM, I had a chat with a British lad in the paddock who was leading the F3 championship, Lewis something. Wonder what happened to him 🤔

[732NM]

Run F1 cars here, the grit from the dunes and salt in the air is a proper pain in the arse.

[Jasandjules]

Lewis has been given a 5 second penalty. It is understood that the stewards will put in the reasons when they can find something.,............

[TikTak]

Welcome back and thank you PiaP! Welcome back one and all.

Sooo back to the who knows of this season. I read somewhere that the top 6 drivers (over the last 4 races) are seperated by 8 points in those results, so could be close.

Who knows and although Zandvoort isn't my favourite track I'm glad the F1 is back. Got a sneaky suspicion of a Max win but for some season I feel drama afoot and maybe a refreshed Russell does a lights to flag win.

Shock, Honda are saying 2028 they'll be back. Pointless. Here's hoping their first upgrade actually claws back some BHP.

Edited by TikTak on Monday 17th August 10:21