Dutch Grand Prix preview: Will Verstappen continue the party at Zandvoort?

The summer break of Formula 1 is actually an official stop. No one is allowed to carry out work that affects the performance of the cars for three weeks. So the teams have not been actively tinkering with the cars, trying to close their immense gap with Red Bull before the summer break. Nevertheless, the engineers of all teams at their campsites in the south of France - or anywhere in the world - will have thought about how to do something about the Austrians' lead.

Zandvoort will suit Red Bull

Whether the teams of Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren suddenly become serious challengers to Red Bull with some minor adjustments is doubtful. In advance, you would think: a hopeless mission. Like in Hungary, the Zandvoort circuit is winding and has few straights. In the vicinity of Budapest, Verstappen was in a class of his own a few weeks ago and had his most dominant performance of the season. Afterwards, Verstappen said that Red Bull had given him the best possible car for this job. With tens of thousands of Verstappen fans in the stands dressed in orange, Red Bull will do everything possible to enable the local hero to win in Zandvoort, just like Verstappen has done everywhere in recent weeks.

The most uncertain factor seems to be the weather on the circuit in the dunes. Rain is expected on all race days for the first time since the circuit returned to the F1 calendar. An uncertain situation is, therefore, likely to await the teams and drivers, as there is no comparison material from previous years about driving on a wet track. It will also be interesting to see what influence the rain has on racing over the banked parts (which are located in two places on the circuit). Click here for the full weather forecast at the Dutch Grand Prix. 

How are the pursuers doing?

As indicated, Red Bull - and Verstappen in particular - is the main contender for the win - even if it were to be a wet Grand Prix. An exciting battle awaits behind the Dutchman (and possibly his teammate Sergio Perez), and it is impossible to say in advance which of the direct pursuers will be the best of the rest. McLaren performed well in Hungary, almost finishing on the podium with two cars. Mercedes had pole position with Lewis Hamilton on the twisty and tight Hungaroring. In short, Zandvoort should help both teams.

Ferrari and Aston Martin may have a bit more trouble, but as often this season: it can change quickly. One thing remains: none of them can match Red Bull, which is expected be the case in the Netherlands.