Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies sat down with F1.
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Dutch 2026 GP sprint preview
Top stories ahead of the Dutch sprint GP. Ranked F1 coverage since the Hungarian Grand Prix - upgrades, controversy, and paddock storylines that matter before the weekend - plus circuit facts, records, and this grid's history at the track.
Weekend schedule
All timezonesTimes shown in circuit-local time (CEST).
- FP1Fri12:3019°Partly cloudy
- Sprint QualifyingFri16:3019°Partly cloudy
- SprintSat12:0018°10mmRain
- QualifyingSat16:0018°10mmRain
- RaceSun15:0019°Partly cloudy
Forecast is the daily high and expected rainfall at the circuit.
The circuit
Full circuit guideCircuit Zandvoort · 4.259 km · 14 corners · clockwise
Recent form at this circuit
Last winners
- 2025Oscar Piastri · McLaren
- 2024Lando Norris · McLaren
- 2023Max Verstappen · Red Bull
What makes it different
- Two banked corners - Turn 3 and the final Turn 14 - reach about 18 degrees, giving cars enough grip to run side by side without sliding wide, while also tilting the floor enough to change how it generates downforce.
- Runs through coastal dunes, so wind-blown sand across the racing line is a routine grip variable here in a way it is nowhere else.
Home race
Home race for Max Verstappen.
This grid’s history here
Top stories ahead of the Dutch sprint GP
Max Verstappen stole the headlines as the Formula 1 fraternity regrouped after the summer break when he announced a contract extension with Red Bull until the end of 2030.
One day on from the news that Alex Albon had extended his stay with Williams, Carlos Sainz has also agreed a new contract with the team.
TWG has denied the Cadillac F1 team is up for sale following an investigation into CEO Mark Walter in the US
George Russell has opened up about his engagement to long-term partner Carmen Montero Mundt
Kimi Antonelli was a natural driver at the age of three, according to his dad.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are both fighting for the title, but the team believe that the drivers have maintained a good relationship.
Ukraine's government appeals against FIA's decision to welcome back Russian and Belarussian drivers.
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