Formula One is back from summer break to kickstart the second half of the season this weekend in Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix, home race to three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, bidding to claim a fourth consecutive victory at the standout circuit.
On Sunday, Round 15 of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Dutch Grand Prix will resume F1 action in the Netherlands, the homeland of championship leader Max Verstappen, who won the last three races staged at Circuit Zandvoort.
Located between the dunes on the Dutch North Sea coast, the town of Zandvoort is the home to the permanent track, which returned to host a Formula One GP in 2021 after a 35-year break.
The track layout, spanning 4.259km (2.646 miles), kept its old-school rollercoaster nature while adjusting to the series’ modern era, poising a fierce challenge to the drivers, featuring 14 turns (10 right-hand corners and four left-hand) over 72 laps.
Moreover, the banked corners at T3 and T14 see the cars tackle 18 degrees of banking.
“Banked corners are not that common in Formula 1 and therefore present an unusual challenge for both car and driver. It also affects the tires because the higher speeds of the banked turns compared to the normal ones subject them to even greater forces,” Pirelli remarks in its GP weekend preview.
Therefore, Pirelli Formula One official tire supplier has chosen the C1 as Hard, C2 as Medium, and C3 as Soft compounds, the hardest of its range for Zandvoort.
Meanwhile, according to the FIA, in 2024, the circuit introduced a series of changes, focussing on improving track safety. The barriers have been realigned in Turn 6 on the right-hand side.
In addition, new concrete walls with FIA fencing have been installed between Turn 10 and Turn 11 on the right-hand side.
History and Tradition
The original circuit became part of the pinnacle of motorsport in 1952, with Alberto Ascari taking victory with Scuderia Ferrari, the most successful constructor at Zandvoort, recording eight wins.
The Grand Prix, a regular to the Formula One calendar, saw its last race being held in 1985 as the organizers followed to cease operations.
Niki Lauda crossed the finish line first to clinch his last career victory at the wheel of the McLaren MP4/2B. Overall, Lauda won the race on three occasions, one victory short of Jim Clark.
Since its return, the event has become a favorite for Dutch fans and spectators worldwide.
One of the shorter circuits on the F1 calendar will serve…
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