Formula 1 is back in action at a track that presents one of the most complicated challenges of the season. The Dutch Grand Prix takes place at the classic Zandvoort circuit, nestled in the dunes on the North Sea coast, having been updated just a few years ago to host Formula 1, starting in 2021 after an absence of 36 years. It has retained its original characteristics including its twisty layout featuring 14 corners, four to the left and ten to the right, over the course of its 4.259 kilometres. But what makes this track really unique on the championship trail are the banked turns 3 and 14, with a gradient of 19 and 18 degrees respectively, which for a point of reference is steeper than that found at Indianapolis.

Banked corners are not that common in Formula 1 and therefore present an unusual challenge for both car and driver. It also has an effect on the tyres, because the higher speeds of the banked turns compared to the normal ones subjects them to even greater forces. That explains why the dry weather compounds chosen for Zandvoort are the three hardest in the 2024 range, used since the introduction of the 18” tyres: C1 as P Zero White hard, the C2 as P Zero Yellow medium and the C3 as P Zero Red soft.

On paper, thermal degradation is a very significant factor, but much will depend on the weather in late August. The Netherlands borders Belgium and we saw before the break how climatic conditions at these latitudes can change from one day to the next and even within the space of a day, so that summer doesn’t necessarily mean warm temperatures and sunshine. The average temperature in Zandvoort in late August varies between 14 °C and 20 °C, which could help drivers manage even the softest compounds, as was seen in last year’s race when Tsunoda ran 50 laps on the Soft. A further variable results from the track’s proximity to the sea shore, just one row of dunes and a street away, so that wind often coats the track with sand, thus lowering the grip available to the tyres.

Conditions changed so much during last year’s race that all five types of available tyre were used. The most popular slick was the Soft, chosen for the start by 19 of the 20 drivers, Hamilton being the only one to opt for the Medium. The rain arrived immediately after the start, bringing the Cinturato Intermediate into play, and it was then required again for the final stages, after a long spell where slicks were used. Three drivers, the Red Bull pair and Esteban Ocon, even tried out the Cinturato Wet. There were a lot of overtaking moves and a record 82 pit stops.

In stable dry conditions, pre-event simulations point to a one-stop as the quickest strategy, especially as in theory, overtaking is a rare event, because the track is very narrow and there are few straights, therefore very limited passing opportunities. If it is hot, then the harder compounds should be favourite, but cooler weather would see the Soft become a viable race tyre.

The Zandvoort circuit has hosted all 33 editions of the Dutch Grand Prix counting towards the Formula 1 World Championship, dating back to 1952. Scotland’s Jim Clark won here four times, a record that could be equalled this year by Max Verstappen who has won all three races since Formula 1 returned to the Netherlands. In Saturday’s qualifying, the Red Bull driver could also top the table for pole positions here, as he is currently equal with René Arnoux on three. When it comes to the most podium finishes, this record is also held jointly by Jim Clark and Niki Lauda with six apiece. Among the teams, Ferrari leads the way for wins (8) and podium finishes (25) while, on eight, Lotus has the most pole positions.