The 12th Grand Prix of the season marks the beginning of the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. Alongside the title fight led by championship leader Kimi Antonelli, the end of an era will dominate the weekend: after Sunday’s race, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will disappear from the Formula 1 calendar. To mark the occasion, the circuit will also host a Sprint race for the first time.
Why Zandvoort is leaving the Formula 1 calendar after 2026
The first Formula 1 World Championship race at Zandvoort was held back in 1952. Until 1985, the championship regularly visited the Dutch coast, albeit with several interruptions. Formula 1 finally returned in 2021 after a 36-year absence. The enormous support surrounding Verstappen quickly turned the Dutch Grand Prix into one of the most atmospheric weekends on the European Formula 1 calendar. The 2026 edition will be the 40th and, for the foreseeable future, final Formula 1 Grand Prix at the circuit.
The decision to stop despite continued strong demand is mainly driven by financial considerations. The Grand Prix is privately funded and operates without government subsidies. That leaves the organisers carrying the financial risk and requiring very high attendance levels to make the event economically viable. Any long-term decline in ticket sales or sponsorship income could therefore put the business model under significant pressure.
Formula 1 was keen to keep Zandvoort on the calendar. Discussions included both an annual continuation and a rotation system that would have seen the Dutch Grand Prix staged only in selected seasons. The organisers ultimately rejected both options and decided to bring the event to an end while it remains at the height of its popularity. The event’s strong dependence on Verstappen’s pulling power also formed part of the long-term risk assessment.
There is certainly no lack of interest at present. Regular tickets for Saturday and Sunday are already sold out, with only a limited number still available for Friday.
Antonelli begins the second half of the season as championship leader
From a sporting perspective, Kimi Antonelli heads into the weekend with a clear lead in the Drivers’ Championship. The Mercedes driver has collected 219 points from the opening 11 Grands Prix and leads Lewis Hamilton, who has 169 points for Ferrari, and team-mate George Russell on 160. Mercedes also tops the Constructors’ Championship with 379 points, ahead of Ferrari on 307.
Antonelli has won six Grands Prix so far and was the most successful driver of the first half of the season. The competitive picture has become more balanced recently, however. Ferrari claimed victories with Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc at Silverstone before Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix for McLaren immediately before the summer break.
Verstappen gets one final opportunity
Verstappen’s season has been considerably more difficult. The four-time world champion sits only sixth in the standings with 109 points and is still waiting for his first Grand Prix victory of the year. Red Bull nevertheless showed an upward trend before the summer break, with Verstappen finishing second in Spielberg, third at Spa and second again in Budapest.
Zandvoort was long Verstappen’s personal stage following the race’s return to the calendar. He won three years in a row in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Lando Norris ended that run the following year, before Oscar Piastri triumphed last season with Verstappen once again finishing second. Sunday therefore gives the Dutchman one final chance to win his home Grand Prix.
Sprint format puts extra pressure on the teams
At just 4.259 kilometres, the Zandvoort circuit is very different from many modern Formula 1 venues. Its narrow layout, rapid changes of direction and distinctive banked corners punish mistakes immediately. With overtaking difficult, qualifying takes on particular importance and a strong starting position could prove decisive. The Grand Prix will be contested over 72 laps and a total distance of just under 307 kilometres.
The Sprint format adds another layer of difficulty. Teams will have only one hour of practice on Friday before heading straight into Sprint Qualifying. Saturday features the 24-lap Sprint followed by qualifying for the Grand Prix, leaving considerably less time to fine-tune the cars than on a conventional race weekend.
First practice begins at 12:30 on Friday, followed by Sprint Qualifying at 16:30. The Sprint starts at 12:00 on Saturday, with Grand Prix qualifying at 16:00. The final Formula 1 Grand Prix at Zandvoort will get underway at 15:00 on Sunday.
