After a month’s break, Formula One will be returning this weekend as the grid heads to the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix 2024.
As racing returns, here’s our race preview predictions for the Dutch Grand Prix 2024.
Recharged in front of home crowd
The 2024 season started off threatening to be similar to the 2022 and 2023 seasons, which would see Max Verstappen dominate every weekend. Half-way through the season though, we have had the most competitive Formula One season since 2012 with 14 races being completed and there being seven different race winners.
Max Verstappen, who is the championship leader, has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix while Lewis Hamilton ended the season with two race wins in the final three races before the break. Verstappen though still holds the lead in the championship standing from McLaren’s Lando Norris, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc creeping up close behind.
Verstappen, who hasn’t been on the top step of the podium, returns to his homeland for the Dutch race and since its return to the calendar in 2021, Verstappen has won all three races since then. A track that he has dominated in, is the perfect place for Verstappen to get back in top form to restart his championship race to a fourth world title. While the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have all shown strong resurgence off late, expect Max Verstappen to stand on the top step of the podium in front of his loving home-crowd.
Pole Position Prediction: Red Bull/McLaren
Race Winner Prediction: Max Verstappen
Mercedes on the bounce?
While Red Bull, the Constructors’ standing leader currently, have had a couple of below average races to end the opening half of the season, it has resulted in the Constructors’ Championship being thrown wide open as McLaren and Ferrari are right in the mix for the title.
Another team who has slowly crept up the grid is Mercedes. The recent upgrades for the Brackley-based team have worked wonders, netting them three race wins. Mercedes needs to keep the upgrades incoming to keep up with other teams at the front. Mercedes have already shown that after a disappointing couple of seasons that they can bounce back and with both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell hitting top gear, the only obstacle in front of Mercedes is themselves.
They headed into the summer break on a high and count on Mercedes to have another strong race in Zandvoort.
Aston Martin dropping down in the mid-field battle –
The Formula One 2023 season had seen Aston Martin start the season with a bang, as Fernando Alonso secured six podium finishes in the opening eight races and managed to finish fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. A year later, the team has managed a best-place finish of fifth place (courtesy Fernando Alonso in Saudi Arabia) and are 193 points behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ standing in fifth place, although with VCARB’s rise, their place looks under threat.
While the car is far from competitive to fight for podium places, Alonso still makes sure to push the car to its limit to be on the brink of points or leave each weekend with at least a point. The Silverstone-based team are way off the other mid-field teams as the ones above are fighting for wins, but a recent upward movement from VCARB should keep Aston Martin on their toes to hold on to their fifth place. While expecting Aston Martin to fight for a podium is a bit of a stretch, one can count on Aston Martin to leave Netherlands with a respectable haul of points.
Dark Horses: Aston Martin
Dutch Grand Prix 2024 Race Details
Circuit: Circuit Zandvoort
Venue: Zandvoort, North Holland, Netherlands
Practice Session 1 time: 16:00, August 23
Practice Session 2 time: 19:30, August 23
Practice Session 3 time: 15:00, August 24
Qualifying time: 18:30, August 24
Main race time: 18:30, August 25
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode
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