Max Verstappen will be aiming to give his home Dutch Grand Prix the perfect farewell when Formula 1 returns from its summer break at Zandvoort this weekend.

The historic seaside circuit is set to disappear from the F1 calendar after this year’s event, making Sunday’s race an emotional occasion for Verstappen and his passionate Dutch supporters. A victory would be the ideal way for the four-time world champion to close the chapter on racing at his home track.

Verstappen has enjoyed an impressive record at Zandvoort since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021. He has finished on the podium in every race, recording three wins and two second-place finishes.

The Red Bull driver has also led an impressive 200 of the 360 laps he has raced at the circuit and has secured three pole positions.

Despite not yet winning a race in 2026, Verstappen has been consistently competitive. He has finished second twice this season, including at the Hungarian Grand Prix immediately before the summer break.

“I have had so many good memories here in Zandvoort and to have been able to race in front of my home crowd for the past few years has been a privilege and one of my many highlights,” Verstappen said.

The Dutchman will also wear a special Delft blue helmet during the weekend as he looks to make his final home race at Zandvoort one to remember.

Five races, five different winners

The second half of the 2026 F1 season begins with the championship in a very different position from where it started.

Mercedes dominated the opening six races, with George Russell winning once and championship leader Kimi Antonelli claiming five victories.

However, the last five races have produced five different winners.

Lewis Hamilton, Russell, Charles Leclerc, Antonelli and Lando Norris have all stood on the top step of the podium, creating one of the most unpredictable stretches of the season.

Verstappen and Oscar Piastri will now have the opportunity to become the sixth different winner in six races when racing resumes at Zandvoort.

The Dutch weekend will also feature a sprint race for the first time, adding another layer of pressure to the event.

Verstappen currently sits sixth in the drivers’ championship, while Piastri is seventh. Every driver ahead of them has already taken a victory this season.

McLaren chasing a hat-trick

McLaren will arrive in the Netherlands hoping to continue its recent dominance at Zandvoort.

The reigning champions have won the last two editions of the Dutch Grand Prix. Lando Norris claimed victory in 2024 before Oscar Piastri took the chequered flag in 2025.

The team will be targeting a third consecutive victory and will introduce the second stage of its latest car upgrade package, following the first part of the development at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Mercedes looking to bounce back

Mercedes will be equally determined to return to winning ways after seeing its advantage reduced by rivals during the first half of the campaign.

Antonelli currently leads Hamilton by 50 points in the championship, but Mercedes has a remarkably long wait for a Dutch GP victory. The team’s last win at Zandvoort came back in 1955, when Juan Manuel Fangio took victory.

Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes needs to find more performance during the second half of the season.

“We have left points on the table, our rivals have reduced the performance gap, and we know the second half of the year will demand more from us than the first,” Wolff said.

He added that Mercedes still has “more performance to unlock” and a clear development plan for the remainder of the season.

For George Russell, the Dutch Grand Prix provides an opportunity to revive his championship challenge after a disappointing first half of the year.

Lawson returns to Red Bull

There will also be a change in the Red Bull driver line-up this weekend.

Liam Lawson will return to the team alongside Verstappen after regular Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar was ruled out with a wrist injury.

The change also affects Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping in to replace Lawson.

The driver changes will add another talking point to an already significant weekend for Red Bull.

Aston Martin bring Honda upgrade

Aston Martin will hope to continue its progress with an upgraded Honda power unit arriving at Zandvoort.

The team introduced a new chassis at the Hungarian Grand Prix and believes the latest developments can help move it closer to the front of the midfield.

The sprint format, however, gives teams less time to evaluate their upgrades. With just one practice session on Friday before Saturday’s sprint, Aston Martin will have little room for error.

Cadillac facing fresh scrutiny

Meanwhile, Cadillac will enter the weekend under increased pressure following a major change during the summer break.

The new F1 team parted ways with founding team principal Graeme Lowdon and appointed Marcin Budkowski as his replacement.

Cadillac are still searching for their first point of the 2026 season as they continue their debut campaign.

With the Dutch Grand Prix entering its final chapter, the spotlight will ultimately remain on Verstappen.

After years of memorable performances in front of the famous orange army, the Red Bull star has one final opportunity to win at his home circuit and give the Dutch Grand Prix the farewell it deserves.