With its summer break over, Formula One heads into the 2024 stretch run, starting with the Dutch GP. It has migrated from a dominant team (Red Bull) and driver (Verstappen) to a more competitive field of players.
This weekend, we’re back to racing. It’s the Dutch Grand Prix, run in the seaside town of Zandvoort. The home team, Red Bull and Max Verstappen, have won the last Dutch GPs and the same number of world championships. However, the circumstances have changed. Two teams are challenging Red Bull/Verstappen, and that competition has made this a season to watch.
First, there is Lando Norris/McLaren, battling Red Bull since Miami, when Norris won his first Grand Prix. Then Oscar Piastri triumphed most controversially, taking the Hungarian Grand Prix. Then there is the old rival Mercedes team, which made car improvements that paid off with Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Great Britain and George Russell’s victory in Belgium (albeit shortlived when a car issue led to a disqualification), which gave the win to Hamilton, who had finished second.
So, the setup for this weekend’s race couldn’t be better–a competitive field racing at a circuit with much history amid recent renovations, with banked turns at three and at the last corner before the straightaway. But several things haven’t changed. Situated near the North Sea, wind can be a factor, and sand and dirt from the beach area can enter the circuit and interfere with the cars. Then, the famed orange fans are dressed in bright clothes and supporting Verstappen.
ESPN2 will televise Friday’s Free Practices (6:30 and 10 a.m.), Saturday’s Qualifying will be shown on the same network starting at 9 a.m., and Sunday’s race (also at 9 a.m.) will be available on ESPN, the flagship channel. (All times Eastern Time)
