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
A reminder of the starting grid for the Dutch GP sprint:
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George Russell (Mercedes)
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Lando Norris (McLaren)
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
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Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
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Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
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Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
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Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
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Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
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Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
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Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
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Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
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Esteban Ocon (Haas)
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Ollie Bearman (Haas)
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Carlos Sainz (Williams)
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Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
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Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
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Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
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Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
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.”
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.
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Constructor standings ahead of Dutch GP
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Mercedes - 379 points
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Ferrari - 307 points
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McLaren - 220 points
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Red Bull - 177 points
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Racing Bulls - 66 points
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Alpine - 61 points
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Haas - 21 points
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Audi - 12 points
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Williams - 11 points
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Aston Martin - 1 point
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Cadillac - 0 points
Lewis Hamilton urges Ferrari to ‘apply the pressure’ on Kimi Antonelli in F1 title battle
"There are pros and cons to it,” Hamilton said, when asked about Antonelli’s age amidst the tension of a world championship battle. “He's obviously very fast. He's doing an amazing job.
"When you are 19 you don't really have much else going on in your life really, so you don't have many other pressures. I remember when I was that age and things are relatively easier in life, I would say.
"Nonetheless, it's not saying he hasn't still got a hard job ahead of him, but he's been doing great.
"I'm not really looking at any weaknesses because I don't think he has shown any this season. I think we've got to just work hard to just continue to apply the pressure."
What is the starting grid for the Dutch GP sprint?
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George Russell (Mercedes)
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Lando Norris (McLaren)
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
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Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
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Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
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Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
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Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
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Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
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Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
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Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
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Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
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Esteban Ocon (Haas)
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Ollie Bearman (Haas)
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Carlos Sainz (Williams)
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Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
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Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
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Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
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Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Five things to look forward to as F1 returns after summer break with Dutch Grand Prix
Kimi Antonelli heads into the second half of the Formula 1 season with all the momentum and a seismic 50-point lead in the world championship.
The 19-year-old Mercedes driver, looking to become the sport’s youngest-ever champion, has dazzled with his composure and class thus far, claiming six grand prix wins so far.
Yet teammate George Russell, who has endured a tough opening 11 races, took a small step in the right direction with pole position for the Saturday sprint race this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Zandvoort is hosting an F1 grand prix for the final time this weekend, with the old-school circuit surrounded by sand dunes on the North Sea opting not to renew its contract with the sport beyond this year.
But with 12 rounds in 16 weekends, what else is there to look forward to in the second-half of the season?
Top-10 in the driver standings
Kimi Antonelli has a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton.
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Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 219 points
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Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 169 points
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George Russell (Mercedes) - 160 points
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Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 138 points
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Lando Norris (McLaren) - 128 points
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Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 92 points
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Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 68 points
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Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 43 points
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Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 points
Start times in Zandvoort this weekend:
Time BST
Saturday 22 August
- Sprint race: 11am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 23 August
- Race: 2pm
F1 Dutch GP sprint
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the sprint race in Zandvoort!
F1 is back after the summer break and we’re back with a helter-skelter sprint weekend at the final Dutch Grand Prix.
George Russell is on pole ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris - what drama will we get on the North Sea coast today?