F1, Holland GP: Verstappen’s house is no longer a fortress. Norris seeks the coup, Ferrari and Mercedes are confident

Holidays over, back to the sea. At home Verstappen. After the two-week summer break, the Formula 1 starts again from the sand dunes of Zandvoorton the North Sea ofWhenMax’s country (Sunday at 3pm, Sky and Now). The world champion of Red Bull who spent his holidays with his girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, family and friends (“I would have liked one more week, but I’m happy to start again”), in front of the orange sea of ​​his fans will get into the car for the 200th GP of his young career: “Do I see myself for another 200 GPs? No”.

Verstappen tailed by Norris

Cloudy skies at least until Saturday, a few drops of rain, wind, northern temperatures (max 20°) for the 15th race of the season (and in total there are 10 to go). Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ standings with 277 points, has won the last three editions, but unlike in past years he is not the super favorite this time. He has Lando Norris (at -78 points) with a McLaren which is constantly climbing also among the Constructors (the papayas are second with 366 points behind the blue Max at 408 points). The Dutchman knows that it will not be as usual: “Lando is very close, but there are many other teams and cars that can compete, from now on it will be a question of details”.

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes debut coming soon

The company is also fine-tuning them Mercedes. He won in the last GP before the break, at Spa, with Lewis Hamilton who then toured half the world, even stopping in Paris to see the Games. He would have done a double if George Russellfirst at the finish line, had he not been disqualified for the non-compliant minimum weight of his car. And he is thinking about the future: already in Monza, in two weeks, the Italian Kim Antonelli he should make his debut behind the wheel in the first free practice sessions.

Ferrari, Vasseur: “Let’s start again from Leclerc’s pole at Spa”

The Ferrari? Start again from the pole of Charles Leclerc in Belgium which then became a third place for the Monegasque at the checkered flag. Carlos Sainzwhich has in the meantime outlined its own future (at the Williams) after months of evaluations and postponements, he will run the last GPs more free from worries dressed in red. The Scuderia is looking for technical reinforcements for the team, given that the option Adrian Newey seems remote now. And it is improving its instruments in the wind tunnel. The team principal, Fred Vasseurwho followed many of the Olympics in Paris, including the Italian women’s volleyball matches, says he is optimistic about this restart: “Charles’ pole and podium in Belgium have given us confidence. Knowing the values ​​on the field this season, and considering the characteristics of the track, it is reasonable to expect a battle on the edge of hundredths”.

The Dutch GP circuit

Zandvoort, which returned to the calendar in 2021 after a 36-year absence, is a medium-high load track, characterised by an asphalt that is particularly demanding on the tyres. In addition, the wind that comes from the sea, in addition to influencing the behaviour of the cars, brings a lot of sand to the ground. It is a 4,259-metre circuit with one of the fastest lap times of the season and is the second shortest circuit after Monaco. The race distance of 72 laps is the second longest on the calendar (also after Monaco). It is a bit old school, with fast and fluid corners, changes of direction, a mix of cornering speed, undulations, gravel and banked corners. The latter in particular make it famous: turn 3, in the first sector, and 14, the last, are banked up to 16 degrees of slope, which allows drivers to take them at a much higher speed. Turn 3, in particular, called Hugenholtzbocht, can be taken with two different lines.

The narrow track and twisty design make overtaking difficult and require medium aerodynamic load. There are two DRS zones: between turns 10 and 11 and on the main straight. During free practice, the opening of the mobile wing will also be evaluated in the last turn, the Arie Luyendykbocht. The set-up for qualifying and the race will be fundamental, as the cars are put to the test in many ways. And humans will also have to readjust: to speed, after a slow-motion holiday.