After nearly a month without Formula One, the teams and drivers return to action at Zandvoort for a sprint weekend in the Netherlands. This will be the final weekend of racing at the circuit, as it’s set to drop from the calendar after this season. Before the main FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026, the drivers had a 24-lap sprint race ahead of them.
Only 21 drivers lined up on the starting grid at the end of the formation lap, as Sergio Perez pulled into the pit lane at the end of the lap. He remained in the garage for a couple of laps while a team worked to correct a mechanical issue. Cadillac eventually sent the Mexican out, with his race turning into a test session in preparation for qualifying in the afternoon.
At the front of the grid, George Russell had a fantastic launch from pole position, neutralizing any potential challenge from Lando Norris into the first corner. A couple of rows behind, Kimi Antonelli also had a strong start in the other Mercedes, overtaking Oscar Piastri in the opening sector.
After the start, the race fell into a bit of a holding pattern, with no one managing to get into position for an overtake attempt. The lead cars were all lingering between a second and two seconds, but were relatively evenly paced. Antonelli did apply some pressure to Charles Leclerc early on, but eventually had to back off.
Leclerc was the second of the leaders to get an overtake done on lap 18, getting by Norris. This promoted the Ferrari driver to P2. He and Oliver Bearman were the only two drivers to start the sprint on the soft compound tyres, with the rest of the field opting to fit the medium tyres.
Having been overtaken by Leclerc, Norris faced pressure in the closing laps from Antonelli, who was breathing down the Brit’s neck. Antonelli appeared to have a strong pace throughout the duration of the sprint, although he was held up by the cars ahead for much of it.
In the closing laps, a slight drizzle appeared at the circuit. By the final lap, the rain began to fall heavily. The sprint could have ended quite interestingly if the race had been only a couple of laps longer. Although it didn’t have any real impact on the sprint, it could potentially add a challenge to qualifying in the afternoon.
The Dutch Grand Prix weekend continues tomorrow with the main grand prix.
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 224 |  | |
| 2 | L. Hamilton | 171 | -53 | |
| 3 | G. Russell | 168 | -56 | |
| 4 | C. Leclerc | 145 | -79 | |
| 5 | L. Norris | 134 | -90 | |
| 1 | Mercedes | 392 | | |
| 2 | Ferrari | 316 | -76 | |
| 3 | McLaren | 230 | -162 | |
| 4 | Red Bull | 180 | -212 | |
| 5 | Racing Bulls | 66 | -326 | |
