Zandvoort it is one of the most recognizable venues in classic Formula 1, even though its place in modern Formula 1 is relatively new. Located almost on the seashore and in the middle of a natural dune, this circuit hosted for more than three decades the Dutch Grand Prix in a wider and faster version of the current layout, until its final departure after the 1985 edition.
Upon his return in 2021, postponed a year due to pandemic issues, the circuit had changed a lot, using the version truncated by a golf course from the 90s, but with dramatic banking that give it a plus of character. Overtaking on this track is still a proposition only within the reach of the most daring or with better machinery, but any minimal error can be penalized in damage or abandonment, something that all pilots are fully aware of.
The strategy, key in the face of the difficulty to overtake
Who does not think about it at all is Max Verstappen, who is looking to repeat his dominant performance of 2021 and win from pole position, which he snatched from Ferrari and Mercedes yesterday when it seemed that this time he could be missing something else. The Dutchman, unstoppable in the conquest of his more than probable second world championship, will have to defend himself at the start of the pressure of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
With how discussed Ferrari’s strategic ability has been this season, the ability of the Scuderia drivers to try to ‘envelop’ Verstappen will be key to maximizing his chances of returning to the top of the podium. This is magnified by the fact that Sergio Perez he could only qualify fifth after his late error in Q3, which compels him to defend himself from George Russell and try to account for Lewis Hamilton before being able to assist his partner.
Alonso looks for the tenth… race in the points
In the fight to be ‘the best of the rest’, lando norris This time he has all the numbers, immediately behind drivers like Mick Schumacher, Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll, without so many competitive guarantees due to machinery or excellence at the wheel. You have to go down a little more until you find Fernando Alonsowhose classification did not turn out at all as intended, and which will have to advance from 13th place to try to score points for the tenth consecutive race.
The ardent Dutch fans, sometimes too fiery as could be seen by the double launch of flares in the qualifying session, brings a great atmosphere to a career that seeks to settle in the future, but that clearly drinks from the wave of global popularity of Verstappen. It’s his career and his event, and getting his tenth victory of the season here in just 15 events played seems almost a national obligation.