All Eyes on Zandvoort: Why the Netherlands Grand Prix is More Than Just Another F1 Race

The Dutch GP is the first such race on the schedule following three weeks of no action. With the high flying McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris leading the way and battling it out for the title, the home country hero, Max Verstappen, will look to make it four wins in front of his orange home crowd and perhaps make things interesting for the fans of Red Bull. Read on for the latest Formula 1 Expert Picks and Predictions as we analyse this weekend’s fastest circus and why it is more than just another Grand Prix. 

The whole story of the Zandvoort Circuit is amazing to know and study. After 36 years, from 1985 to 2021, there was no race. Then in 2021, it went back on the calendar, and since then, it has been dominated by the local fans, the famous Orange Army, and their golden boy, Max Verstappen. The 4 time F1 champion (2021-2024) won the race three times from 2021 to 2023, ushering in one of the biggest moments in every season for the Dutch fans, Red Bull fans, and racing fans. Everyone came to expect his great performance and an eventual win. That is, until last season, 2024, when Lando Norris ruined the hopes and dreams of everyone in the Netherlands.

This time around, Norris and his club buddy Piastri are the frontrunners for the title, and this race can be the deciding factor. Verstpapen will race for the home crowd, bragging rights, and his honor. It is more than enough to give him an additional motivation and drive. He has nothing to lose, with the title already having slipped away. Think how important the British Grand Prix is for Lewis Hamilton. Well, this is it for Verstappen. The track's modern design, combined with the history and tradition, and the uniqueness of being close to the sea and having its iconic land layout, it has all the makings of a fan favorite, which it is. We are in for a treat, so buckle up and get ready to tune in during the qualifiers on Saturday, as they are crucial for this track. Overtaking is difficult, so the pole position may be as worthy as the win itself.

Previewing the race in his interview with Stake.com, Kick Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg commented on the Dutch GP and the season. Predicting the Zandvoort race, he said that it is “one of the shorter circuits on the Formula One calendar, and it's known for its challenging corners, which are the result of natural sand dunes. Piastri finished 4th last season, but he’s expected to improve on that result in 2025.” He also talked about the previous two winners, saying, “Verstappen has 3 Dutch Grand Prix wins over the course of his career, with his last win in 2023. Last season, the race was won by Norris, with Verstappen and Leclerc making up the rest of the podium.” Indeed, the four drivers mentioned are the favorites for the podium. 

Talking about who has the best shot at winning this year’s championship, Nico said, “Right now, Piastri is the betting favourite to win the 2025 F1 Driver’s Championship. The 24 year old Australian has never won the Championship before but has 8 Grand Prix wins over 3 seasons, including 6 this season already, and finished 4th overall in 2024.” He agrees with most predictions and says that “the second favorite is Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris. He is an outside betting option based on the current sports betting odds, but Norris did finish in 2nd place last season.”

Hulkenberg managed to get his first career podium in London, grabbing 15 points for his Kick Sauber team and finishing 3rd. The maiden F1 podium has “been a long time coming,” as he explained, following 239 starts. The German driver described it as “pretty surreal” as he managed to climb from 19th in the tricky and challenging Silverstone race. “I always knew we have it in us, and I have it in me somewhere,” said the veteran driver. “I mean, what a race, coming from virtually last.”

Nico also shed light on what it means for his team. “Standing on the podium in Silverstone was a surreal and incredibly proud moment, not just for me personally, but for the entire team. It marked a huge milestone for Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, as it had been thirteen years since the team’s last top three finish, and being part of that made it even more special. I am looking forward to the future. We are hungry for more and aim to keep improving.”

Before this Sunday’s race in the Netherlands starts, a quick overlook of the standings is in order. Oscar Piastri is leading the table with 284 points coming from 6 wins and 12 podiums. His fiercest rival and team colleague, Lando Norris, is right behind him with 275 points from 5 wins and 12 podiums. The four time defending champion and the local Dutch hero, Max Verstappen, is currently third with a hefty point deficit. He has 187 points from 2 wins and only 5 podiums. It is almost a 100 point difference from the top, meaning they will likely not make it to 5 straight championships. Still, he will give it all he has to win in his home country and get back to winning.

Lando Norris is the defending Dutch GP champion, winning in 2024 after Verstappen made it three straight from 2021 to 2023. Nobody else has won since the return of this classic race after a nearly four decade hiatus. So, what do the Formula 1 Sportsbook odds say? Piastri leads the odds with 2.25, followed by Norris with 2.35 and then Verstappen with 9.00. Charles Leclerc is fourth with 11.00. It is a great chance for Dutch and Red Bull fans to place a bet on Max to take the win in front of the Orange Army, considering it could be the biggest thing he does for his career, and personal glory, this year. McLaren is the obvious leader among the constructors with 1.25, followed by Ferrari with 6.50 and Red Bull with 7.50. 

●      Circuit Zandvoort is located in the dunes near the North Sea coast in the Netherlands. The location gives it a unique, undulating terrain that affects car handling and wind conditions.

●      Originally opened in 1948, the track hosted its first Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in 1952. It quickly became one of the classic venues in early F1 history.

●      The circuit disappeared from the F1 calendar after 1985 and remained absent for 36 years before making its dramatic return in 2021. The decision was largely thanks to the rise in popularity of Dutch driver and champion Max Verstappen. The fastest lap in a race at the modern Zandvoort layout was that year by Lewis Hamilton with 1:11.097. 

●      Zandvoort is famous for its high speed banked corner, Turn 14 (Arie Luyendykbocht), which has an 18 degree banking. It is steeper than the banking at Indianapolis and Daytona and is designed to allow DRS use through the final corner.

●      Due to its tight layout and limited overtaking opportunities, Zandvoort places a premium on qualifying performance and race strategy, especially under variable coastal weather conditions. It makes it one of the most fun F1 weekends overall, with the qualifying as important as the race. 

●      Many of the track’s corners have been named after famous Dutch drivers or historical figures, including the Hugenholtzbocht, named after the circuit's former director and a key F1 architect.

●      Because it winds through coastal dunes, sand can frequently blow onto the track surface and reduce grip. It adds an extra challenge for drivers and is, therefore, also unique.

●      The track's narrow run offs and high speed corners mean that even minor mistakes can lead to major consequences. Safety cars or red flags during races are not uncommon and should be expected.

●      Despite its relatively short length of 4.259 km, Zandvoort is one of the most physically demanding circuits on the calendar due to its relentless rhythm, elevation changes, and lateral g forces.

●      Niki Lauda secured his final F1 victory at Zandvoort in 1985. The capping off of his legendary career coincided with the end of the circuit and marked the last F1 race at the circuit before its long hiatus.

●      Jim Clark holds the record with 4 wins (1963, 1964, 1965, 1967), followed by three 3 time winners. Jackie Stewart won in 1968, 1969, and 1973. Niki Lauda did it in 1974, 1977, and 1985. Max Verstappen won in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Louis Rosier, Alberto Ascari, Jack Brabham, James Hunt, and Alain Prost each won 2 times.

●      The circuit was the scene of tragedy in 1973 when British driver Roger Williamson died in a crash during the Dutch Grand Prix. The lack of adequate safety measures at the time sparked major criticism and calls for reform in F1 safety.

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