Dutch Grand Prix: Race preview

      Orange sky,

      Orange sea,

      Orange greenery,

      Orange camel.

      Orange mothers

      To orange kids

      Orange songs

      Sing in orange.

      Any successful streak in Formula 1 eventually comes to an end. Not long ago the Zandvoort circuit was triumphantly returning to the calendar against the backdrop of Max Verstappen's wins and titles, and the "orange army" supported him so enthusiastically that the cars were invisible in the smoke.

      For three years in a row Max started from pole at his home track, for three years in a row he won the race, but the winning streak has ended — last season he didn't top a single session of the Dutch Grand Prix, and now other drivers in similar shades of orange will arrive as favorites at the dune-lined track, yet there is no doubt Verstappen will do everything to please his crowd, who have only one idol.

      A year ago people in the Netherlands were saying there was no more money for the event, interest was waning, and it would be sensible in the future to alternate the Belgian and Dutch rounds on the calendar, especially since the two circuits are separated by only 300 km and a long summer break. The contract to hold the Dutch Grand Prix was then extended, but only for one year, confirming that the 2026 race will be the last. Soon Zandvoort will leave the calendar once again, perhaps to return one day.

      This year in Zandvoort, unlike Monza where the next round will take place, there won't be a sell-out this time, despite the relatively modest capacity. A week before the race, tickets are still available for every grandstand.

      The summer break is over; there are ten Grands Prix left in the season, three of them in a Saturday-sprint format. Over the next ten days Zandvoort and Monza will complete the European part of the season, then Formula 1 will go on tour, and in winter the Abu Dhabi round will dot the i's.

      The main intrigue will be the fight for the championship title. The Constructors' Championship is decided, while in the drivers' standings Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are separated by only nine points. Moreover, over the last four races the currently trailing Norris has scored 13 more points — 99 to Piastri's 86. The battle is completely even, and if McLaren don't interfere, one could only have dreamed of such a contest.

      The three past regulation changes reshaped the balance of power, producing the dominance of a single driver and one team. Then rivals caught up and forces evened out, but that took years even when teams operated without budget limits, and the changes weren't so sweeping.

      There is a strong likelihood that in 2026 the balance of power will change seriously and for a long time. And the best car will be built not by the team with the biggest budget, but by whoever interprets the new regulations best. Lawrence Stroll and his family are counting on Newey, many believe in the power of the new Mercedes engines, but right now no one can predict what the pecking order will look like a year from now, when Formula 1 arrives at its last Dutch Grand Prix under the current contract.

      However, the calendar summer only ends this week; winter is still far away, and we have ten races to enjoy tight battles in 2025. The end of the season should be magnificent!