Formula 1 returns from the summer shutdown this weekend for Round 12 of the 2026 season, and it’s an emotional one for the calendar. The championship makes its final visit to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix, a venue that has become famous for its orange-clad crowds and carnival atmosphere since rejoining the schedule in 2021 after a 36-year absence. The organisers have decided not to continue hosting the event due to financial challenges, so the paddock is set for a farewell to remember.
The racing itself could be a turning point. Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship in his Mercedes, has been the man to catch after the team won the first six races of the season. But the advantage has shrunk in recent rounds, with Mercedes taking only two wins from the following five events. Ferrari became the first challenger to beat Mercedes over a Grand Prix distance, as Lewis Hamilton took victory in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc repeated the feat at Silverstone. Then at Budapest, McLaren claimed their first win of the season, cutting into that early gap.
McLaren will be particularly interesting to watch this weekend. They introduced the first part of a significant upgrade package in Hungary, where Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri looked strong. The second part of that package is due to be completed at Zandvoort, raising hopes that the defending champions can mount a consistent challenge to Mercedes. After a slow start, McLaren have gradually closed the field, and now they’re bringing performance upgrades to a track that demands precision.
Ferrari have their own work to do. While they’ve been Mercedes’ closest rivals on average, a slightly disappointing showing in Hungary left Hamilton 50 points behind Antonelli in the championship hunt. Can they bounce back and close that gap again? The signs are mixed, but the fight for the podium is as tight as ever.
Aston Martin are bringing another new piece of the puzzle this weekend. After a significant chassis upgrade in Hungary that gave Fernando Alonso a first Q2 appearance and both cars fighting in the midfield, the team now gets an updated Honda power unit. It’s the second step in their development plan, and while it may take time to fully unlock its potential, they’ll be aiming for another step forward to climb up the order.
Away from the track, there’s been a significant change at Cadillac. The team announced last week that Graeme Lowdon had been replaced by Marcin Budkowski as team principal, effective immediately. Lowdon was key in preparing Cadillac for their F1 debut, hiring staff and building the foundation. But CEO Dan Towriss made the call with the next phase of development in mind. Budkowski, a Polish engineer with experience at Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine and the FIA, has already visited the factory and will be on the ground in the Netherlands.
Zandvoort itself is set to host its final Grand Prix with a Sprint weekend, adding an extra layer of excitement. The circuit, known for its high-speed corners, banking, and unpredictable weather, could throw up plenty of surprises. The forecast suggests rain might affect all three days of running, which would only add to the chaos and drama of this farewell race.
To mark the occasion, Red Bull have revealed special one-off race suits and helmets for Max Verstappen and his team-mate Isack Hadjar. Both designs nod to traditional Dutch Delftware, with blue and white floral patterns. But Hadjar’s helmet has a personal touch: it features an illustration of the broken trophy he accidentally destroyed after his maiden podium at Zandvoort last year. The Frenchman had gone viral when he shattered the Delft Blue trophy during celebrations from the 2025 race. He later joked about wanting the broken trophy back, saying the new one didn’t smell of champagne. Now, the story lives on in his helmet.
