Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix and the fifth sprint weekend of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli leads the world championship standings by 50 points and secured a podium last time out in Hungary. His nearest challenger is Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Mercedes teammate George Russell is a further five points off the pace.
Lando Norris claimed his and McLaren’s first victory of the season in Budapest and the reigning world champions will be looking to continue their decent form after the three-week summer recess.
Yet this year’s event at Zandvoort will be the last at the old-school circuit, with the Dutch GP’s contract not being renewed with F1 beyond 2026. It gives Max Verstappen, who signed a new contract this week, one last opportunity to add to his three wins in front of his adoring orange-clad supporters.
Follow live coverage of the Dutch Grand Prix with The Independent
What has Verstappen said about his new deal?
“I was closer to retiring than changing teams,” Verstappen said. “I like it here. I think it would be a great story if that were possible, being picked up by Red Bull and finishing your career with one team.
“I don’t feel the need to change just to change… after the first few races [this season], I said to Laurent, ‘Don’t come to me with any kind of questions about the future because I didn’t even know if I want to stay’.
“But honestly, we always kept it very open. I love racing, and I had a lot of very good discussions with F1, but also with the FIA. We are slowly working towards something that becomes better and better.”
Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:18
Max Verstappen, a record-breaking Red Bull stay and a show of faith in Formula 1
In the space of six months, it has been some turnaround. The first time Max Verstappen drove the much-maligned, energy-dependent breed of 2026 Formula 1 car at February testing in Bahrain, his response was apoplectic. “Anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids” were two such protestations.
Six weeks on, after round three at one of Formula 1’s staple high-speed circuits, Suzuka in Japan, the Dutchman’s disgruntlement had reached boiling point. Quitting the sport seemed a real eventuality.
Full piece below:
Max Verstappen, a record-breaking Red Bull stay and a show of faith in Formula 1
Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull until 2030 but, as Kieran Jackson explains, the real news is the Dutchman has opted to stay in Formula 1 for the foreseeable future – when a shock retirement seemed very plausibleKieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:15
Top-10 in the driver standings
Kimi Antonelli has a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 219 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 169 points
3. George Russell (Mercedes) – 160 points
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 138 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 128 points
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 109 points
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 92 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 68 points
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 43 points
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 42 points
Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:10
Start times in Zandvoort this weekend:
Time BST
Friday 21 August
- Free practice 1: 11:30am
- Sprint qualifying: 3:30pm
Saturday 22 August
- Sprint race: 11am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 23 August
- Race: 2pm
Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:06
F1 Dutch GP LIVE
Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix and the fifth sprint weekend of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli leads the world championship standings by 50 points and secured a podium last time out in Hungary. His nearest challenger is Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Mercedes teammate George Russell is a further five points off the pace.
Lando Norris claimed his and McLaren’s first victory of the season in Budapest and the reigning world champions will be looking to continue their decent form after the three-week summer recess.
Yet this year’s event at Zandvoort will be the last at the old-school circuit, with the Dutch GP’s contract not being renewed with F1 beyond 2026. It gives Max Verstappen, who signed a new contract this week, one last opportunity to add to his three wins in front of his adoring orange-clad supporters.
Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:04