Max Verstappen is heading into the Dutch Grand Prix with a lot on the line. If you’re a fan of his, like so many in the Orange Army, you know how crucial this race is. Verstappen has owned the Dutch Grand Prix since it came back to the Formula One calendar in 2021, winning every time from pole position. But this year, the situation feels a bit different.
The Streak to Break
Imagine this: it’s been four years since Verstappen had a streak like this. Mercedes has been on fire, winning three of the last four races. And while Verstappen still holds a solid lead—78 points with 10 races to go—he hasn’t been on the top step of the podium since Spain back in June. For a driver of his caliber, that’s a long time. He’s only managed to grab one podium spot since then, and you can bet he’s itching to get back to his winning ways, especially at his home track.
This Sunday’s race marks a milestone for Verstappen—his 200th start in Formula One. At 26, he’s the youngest driver to hit that number, and being the only F1 winner at Zandvoort in his lifetime, you know he’s got his sights set on making it another memorable victory. “The atmosphere is always fantastic, and the fans are incredible,” Verstappen said, feeling refreshed after the summer break and ready to kick off the second half of the season. He’s focused, and so are his fans, hoping to see him fight for the win.
Perez and the Team Dynamics
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, is having a bit of a tough season. He’s the only driver from the top four teams who hasn’t won a race this year, and that’s starting to weigh on Red Bull. With a new race engineer stepping in temporarily, Perez is determined to turn things around. He knows there’s potential in the car, and he’s looking to maximize the second half of 2024 to help secure Red Bull’s position in the constructors’ standings.
Mercedes and the Hamilton Comeback
Then there’s Lewis Hamilton, who’s been on a roll lately. The seven-time world champion has won two of the last three races, even after his teammate George Russell got disqualified from first in Belgium. Hamilton’s recent form has been impressive, scoring more points than any other driver in the last four races. But despite that, he’s still 127 points behind Verstappen. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is keeping things in perspective, reminding everyone that they still have some catching up to do. The team has made strides in improving their car, the W15, but there’s more work to be done if they want to challenge for victories consistently.
Ferrari and the Midfield Battle
Ferrari, too, is showing signs of life. Charles Leclerc grabbed pole position in Belgium and followed it up with a third-place finish, which is encouraging as they head into their home race at Monza after Zandvoort. The Ferrari faithful will be watching closely, hoping for more positive results as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Alpine is quietly marking a year since their last podium. They’ve got a new team boss, Oliver Oakes, stepping in, so it’ll be interesting to see how the team performs under new leadership.
So, as the Dutch Grand Prix approaches, all eyes are on Verstappen. Can he break his losing streak at home and give his fans something to cheer about? Or will Mercedes and Hamilton continue their recent dominance? One thing’s for sure—this weekend’s race is going to be one to watch.
