The Formula 1 season is currently on its summer break, but fans are eagerly awaiting the action to resume later this month. The first 14 races of 2024 have been thrilling, with seven different drivers from teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all claiming victories. Max Verstappen of Red Bull is among the standout performers.
When Does F1 Return?
The next race on the calendar is the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, marking the 15th race of the season and the beginning of the second half of the year. The race will take place on Sunday, August 25, 2024, with the start times as follows:
- 2:00 PM BST
- 3:00 PM CEST
- 9:00 AM ET
- 11:00 PM AEST
Full Weekend Schedule
The Dutch Grand Prix weekend runs from August 23 to 25, with the following sessions scheduled:
- Friday, August 23:
- FP1: 11:30 AM BST / 6:30 AM ET / 8:30 PM AEST
- FP2: 3:00 PM BST / 10:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM AEST
- Saturday, August 24:
- FP3: 10:30 AM BST / 5:30 AM ET / 7:30 PM AEST
- Qualifying: 2:00 PM BST / 9:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM AEST
- Sunday, August 25:
- Race: 2:00 PM BST / 9:00 AM ET / 10:00 PM AEST
Tyre Compounds for the Dutch GP
Pirelli has selected some of their hardest tyre compounds for the Dutch GP due to the high temperatures and abrasive nature of the track. The available compounds are:
- Hard – C1
- Medium – C2
- Soft – C3
The C1 compound was introduced in 2023 to bridge the gap between the previous C1 and C2 tyres, providing a more balanced option for teams. The C2 and C1 tyres are expected to be the go-to choices during the race, given their durability over the 66 laps. The C3 compound is likely to be used mainly during qualifying.
Location of the Dutch Grand Prix
The Dutch GP is held at Circuit Zandvoort, a track with a long history dating back to 1952. The circuit was temporarily removed from the F1 calendar in 1985 but returned in 2021 after a redesign. The current track length is 2.646 miles (4.259 km), with Lewis Hamilton holding the lap record of 1:11.097, set in 2021.
Recap of the 2023 Dutch GP
The 2023 Dutch Grand Prix was notable for the dramatic weather conditions and the debut of Liam Lawson with AlphaTauri, following an injury to Daniel Ricciardo. The race began under heavy rain, which continued to challenge teams throughout the event. Verstappen led from the start, while many drivers struggled with tyre choices in the wet conditions. A red flag was briefly issued due to worsening weather.
Three drivers received penalties during the race: Yuki Tsunoda for causing a collision, Sergio Perez for speeding in the pit lane, and Kevin Magnussen for falling too far behind the safety car. Fernando Alonso secured the fastest lap but finished second, with Verstappen taking the victory.
