Dutch Grand Prix Preview: Zandvoort hat-trick expected for national hero Verstappen

Formula 1 is back after the summer break as the high-drama circus pitches up in the Netherlands this weekend for the Dutch Grand Prix. We preview the action below.

Prominent home advantage  

Currently sat on top of the drivers’ standings with a 125-point cushion, Max Verstappen is an understandable 1/4 favourite to claim success in this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, with teammate Sergio Perez a 9/1-shot, and Lando Norris priced at 14/1.

The two-time world champion won last year’s renewal of the 72-lap race by four seconds, with Mercedes’ George Russell in second and Charles Leclerc a fair third, and although the Dutchman didn’t pull too far away from his competitors, he held the fastest lap and qualified on pole position.

Despite only winning by four seconds, the manner of the victory itself was why last year’s performance was so impressive from Red Bull’s number one driver.

Following Valtteri Bottas’ retirement on lap 53, a safety car was deployed to remove his stranded car that was sat on the home straight and because of this, Verstappen pitted for a fresh set of soft tires which allowed Lewis Hamilton to take the lead of the grand prix.

However, it only took the Dutchman the length of the straight to pass the seven-time world champion and he never looked back from there, clocking his fastest lap attempt in the final 10 laps of the race.

With the cries of the ‘Super Max’ army behind him at Zandvoort, Verstappen should secure the victory to add to his 2021 and 2022 successes.

Russell seeking podium 

If last year’s form is anything to go by then it may be Mercedes’ other driver, George Russell at 28/1, who could hit the frame.

The 25-year-old former Williams driver finished second 12 months ago and was another who benefitted from fresher tires than his competitors in the latter stages of the race.

He collected 18 points for the Silver Arrows and pulled six seconds away from the third, Charles Leclerc, within the final 10 laps.

Furthermore, on his first start at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021, he got his Williams car to qualify 11th on the grid ahead of Lance Stroll, Lando Norris, and teammate Nicholas Latifi while also just two-tenths away from Daniel Ricciardo’s time in 10th.

Russell may have failed to finish the race in 2021, however, the young prospect began the contest well and was mixing it with Alpine’s Fernando Alonso between turn two and four.

Although Russell is sixth in the drivers’ standings and could be in better form this year, he can be backed at 9/2 to collect a podium finish and 4/7 for a top-six finish.

If you prefer teammate Hamilton to make himself known around the banked track, Mercedes are 17/2 with William Hill to be the winning constructor while, as expected, Red Bull is as short as 1/8.

But, most importantly, Formula 1 has returned following its month-long summer break, and with a back-to-back schedule of the Dutch and Italian Grand Prix to look forward to, there is certainly reason to be excited.