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Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025, Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Image credit to Mark Thompson/Getty Images. 2025 Dutch GP Preview, Dutch Grand Prix Preview, Cadillac F1 Driver Lineup, F1 Zandvoort GP Preview, Formula 1 Dutch Preview.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – After Lando Norris claimed victory at the Hungarian GP last time out to close in on McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri in the World Driver’s Championship standings to just nine points, round 15 of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship returns to the famous Circuit Zandvoort in Zandvoort, North Holland, Netherlands this weekend following the sport’s traditional summer break for the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025. This is the 37th Dutch GP and will be the 35th time that Circuit Zandvoort will host the Dutch Grand Prix. This is the first of a double-header alongside the Italian Grand Prix.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – A look at the Circuit Zandvoort
Circuit Zandvoort is a permanent motor racing facility located in the dunes north of Zandvoort, Netherlands near the North Sea coastline. There were minor races on a street circuit in the town in the 1930’s, but the German invasion of the Netherlands proved to be a whisker of luck for the locals. In a bid to stop his townspeople from being sent to Germany to work, legend says the Mayor of Zandvoort influenced the Germans to allow them to create a straight road through the dunes down, which the Germans could hold celebratory parades once they achieved victory. This was also later linked to other roads, which were used to get to coastal defence positions.
After the war, some of these roads were widened and joined together and a racing circuit was made, not as legend says by John Hugenholtz, but by a group of officials from the Royal Dutch Motorcycle Association, with input from Bentley Boy Sammy Davis, who won the 1927 24 Heures Du Mans. The first event was in 1948, named the Zandvoort Grand Prix. The race by Thailand’s Prince Bira in a Maserati. The next two events were won by Louis Rosier in the year’s 1950 and 1951. 1952 was the year the Dutch Grand Prix became part of the third Formula 1 World Championship season; this and the next year’s Grands Prix were won by Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari. The 1954 event was not held due to a lack of money, and 1955 saw once more Mercedes-Benz ‘s dominance, with legend’s Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss flying; Moss followed Fangio closely all the way to the finish. The 1956 and 1957 Grands Prix were also cancelled due to a lack of money, which indirectly was caused by the Suez Crisis of 1956–1957. The 1958 Dutch Grand Prix was won by Vanwall’s Moss. 1959’s event saw Jo Bonnier win his only Grand Prix and in 1960 saw Dan Gurney suffer an accident and a spectator was killed; the race was won by the legendary Jack Brabham in his Cooper.
The Dutch Grands Prix from 1963 to 1965 saw Jim Clark score a hattrick of victories, and 1967 saw the rise of the famous Lotus 49 featuring its brand-new Ford-Cosworth DFV engine. The DFV won on its debut with Clark behind the wheel; this naturally aspirated V8 engine became the most successful and widely used engine amongst the privateer outfits until the 1985 season. The 1970 Championship season, however, saw the 49’s successor, the 72 (with its design just as advanced as the 49 was three years earlier) dominate comprehensively with Jochen Rindt piloting.
Tragedy hit, when Piers Courage, behind the wheel of a Frank Williams entry, crashed heavily near the high-speed Tunnel Oost corner after a wheel came off and hit the Briton on the head, which killed him. The car, with Courage still inside it, then caught fire and burned to the ground. The 1971 Grand Prix saw Jacky Ickx clinch the victory in a Ferrari after an intense fight with Mexican Pedro Rodriguez in a BRM in torrential wet conditions. There was no event in 1972. It was at first on that season’s calendar, but the drivers rejected racing at Zandvoort, due to the facilities and circuit conditions being out-of-date with Grand Prix racing during that period.
Zandvoort was extensively modified during its absence from the Formula One World Championship calendar. It was lined with Armco barriers and cars were protected from the track-side obstacles and sand dunes. A new pit was built, and the track also saw a chicane placed just before Bosuit, the quick high-speed corner that went onto the pit-straight. For the 1973 event, in a celebration of the efforts made, there was a great atmosphere that weekend and everyone was ecstatic, especially the organisers. But in a cruel twist, that Grand Prix was to be yet another bad hit on Zandvoort’s history and reputation. In an event that was said to be one of the most well-organised Grands Prix, it was actually disorganised, and a lack of clear communication would be responsible for what was to come.
On the eighth lap of the Grand Prix, Roger Williamson (competing in his second race) suffered a heavy crash near Tunnel Oost and his car, whilst scraping along the tarmac caught fire. Williamson was thankfully uninjured during the crash, but time was running out and he could not break free from the car. Williamson’s fellow countryman David Purley parked it alongside, crossed the circuit and sprinted over to the burning March. Purley attempted to turn the car upright. There appeared to be some time to right the car and get Williamson out, but as hard as Purley tried, he was unable to do it all by himself, and the marshals, who were not wearing flame-retardant overalls, were unable and not willing to help because of the intense heat. Race control assumed that Purley’s car that had crashed, and that the Briton escaped unscathed. The majority of drivers who saw Purley waving at them to stop assumed that he was trying to put out a fire from his own car, having safely gotten out of it, and did not know a second driver was involved. As a result, the Grand Prix continued, whilst Purley tried hard to save Williamson’s life. Due to race officials standing around doing nothing to help and hinder the situation (by throwing away the fire extinguisher that Purely was using over the Armco barriers and down the slope) this did not work as Williamson’s car burned, and Williamson succumbed due to asphyxiation. Purley was later given the George Medal for his actions in trying to save Williamson’s life. The event was won by Tyrrell driver Jackie Stewart (who broke fellow Scot Jim Clark’s record for the most career victories that weekend) and his French teammate Francois Cevert came home in 2nd place, but no one celebrated; it was one of the darkest moments in the history of Formula One.
The 1974 Grand Prix saw the re-emergence of Ferrari dominate with legend Niki Lauda scoring the victory; and 1975 saw James Hunt claim his maiden Formula One race win for Hesketh. 1976 saw Hunt win once more whilst Lauda was recovering from his horrific crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The 1977 even was remembered for an incident between Hunt and Mario Andretti. Andretti attempted to pass Hunt at the famous Tarzan corner; the two cars tangled, and both were forced to retire from the race. Andretti won the 1978 event, his last Grand Prix victory. 1979 saw a track change to slow cars going into Tunnel Oost, there was a fast temporary chicane put in place there. Canadian Gilles Villeneuve crashed there, whilst fighting aggressively with Alan Jones and suffered left-rear suspension damage. But the Ferrari continued; but on the following tour, he once again went off again at Tarzan corner. Refusing to wave the white flag, Villeneuve, shocked many, put the Ferrari into reverse gear and piloted his 312t4 racer out of the run-off area full of mud and back onto the track. At halfway distance, the 312t4’s left rear rim and wheel along with the suspension shattered and was being dragged by the car as it continued on, which made the Ferrari almost impossible to drive. Villeneuve, displaying his now famous car control, made his way back to the pits without crashing or going off the circuit and retired from the Grand Prix, with Jones taking the victory. The 1980 race saw the chicane removed and swapped with a slower chicane before the Tunnel Oost. 1981’s Grand Prix saw an intense battle between Alain Prost driving a Renault and Jones in his Williams, with Prost coming out as the winner. The 1982 Grand Prix was won by Ferrari’s Didier Pironi, his fellow French-compatriot Rene Arnoux suffered a horrific crash at the end of the main-straight going into Tarzan corner; with his ground-effect Renault’s front suspension failing and the Frenchman went head-first into the barriers, thankfully he was okay. The 1983 race saw a battle between title rivals Prost and Nelson Piquet. Prost tried to overtake Piquet at Tarzan, but the Frenchman hit Piquet off, and Prost crashed afterwards. The 1985 event saw Lauda take his 25th and final Grand Prix victory whilst fending off his fast-charging McLaren team-mate Prost near the end of proceedings.
1985 was the Dutch Grand Prix’s final running, as the company that ran the Zandvoort circuit (CENAV) went out of business, marking the end of the iconic old Zandvoort track. The track, owned by the Zandvoort municipality, was not used for some time and part of the grounds and half of the circuit was sold to Vendorado in 1987, a bungalow park developer during that time. The circuit was eventually re-designed and is still used for other motorsport categories.
Before in 2019, the announcement came that Formula 1 would return to Zandvoort in 2020, after a 35-year hiatus from the sport. The coronavirus plague made it 36 years and a 2021 date for its event.
The Circuit Zandvoort was modernised in time for Formula One’s return – including increasing its banking angle at the iconic Tarzan corner to an Indianapolis Motor Speedway style trumping it 18 degrees with the circuit being undulating and rollercoaster like.
The current Grand Prix circuit layout is 4.296 kilometres (2.646 miles) in length and runs in a clockwise direction.
Race distance is 306.648 kilometres (190.542 miles) in length with 72 laps in total and 14 corners.
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton holds the fastest lap record at the Circuit Zandvoort set at the 2021 event with a 1:11.097 in his Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W12 E Performance racer.
Jim Clark holds the record for most Dutch Grand Prix victories with four to his name.
Scuderia Ferrari is the most successful constructor at the Dutch Grand Prix with nine victories.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – Onboard Pole Position Lap of the Circuit Zandvoort
Here is the onboard pole position lap from last year’s event set by Lando Norris in his McLaren Formula 1 Team-Mercedes MCL38. The Briton’s effort was a solid 1:09.673. You can watch the onboard right here at the link: Lando Norris’ Pole Lap | 2024 Dutch Grand Prix | Pirelli
2025 Dutch GP Preview – The Last Five Winners
2024: Lando Norris, McLaren Racing. 2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2022: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2021: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 1986-2020: Not Held. 1985: Niki Lauda, McLaren-TAG.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – Tyres
Pirelli will be bringing with them to the Circuit Zandvoort, the white-branded C1 Hard compounds, the yellow-marked C2 Mediums and the red side-walled C3 Soft rubber along with the green-marked Intermediates and blue-banded Full Wet compounds in-case of rain.
All drivers will have eight sets of the C3 red side-walled Softs, three sets of the yellow C2 Mediums and two sets of the white C1 Hard rubber.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – DRS Zones
There will be two DRS zones at Circuit Zandvoort with the first detection point just before turn ten with the first activation zone at the exit of turn ten. The second detection point is just before the penultimate corner turn 13 with the second activation zone at the exit of the final corner turn 14.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – Pitlane Speed Limits
Pitlane speed limits will be 80km/h during practice, qualifying and the race.
ICYMI – Norris fends off Piastri to clinch Hungarian GP victory
Lando Norris survived a late charge from team-mate Oscar Piastri to make an alternate strategy work and clinched victory in a thrilling Hungarian GP as Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the top three.
Norris’s victory sees the Briton bring the gap down to his team-mate Piastri in the World Driver’s Championship standings to just nine points as the sport enters its traditional summer break.
In the World Constructor’s Championship, McLaren’s lead extended to a massive 339 points over nearest rivals Ferrari.
When the 70-lap Hungarian GP began, pole-sitter Leclerc got a good start as the Ferrari covered the McLaren’s into turn one as Russell ran wheel-to-wheel with Norris into turn one and jumped into third and then into the second corner Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso pushed his way past Norris to move up into fourth place.
At the beginning of the second tour, Leclerc held a 0.418 second lead over Piastri with Russell third, Alonso fourth, Norris down in fifth, Bortoleto up into sixth, Stroll seventh, Verstappen up into eighth, Lawson ninth as Bearman rounded out the top ten.
On lap three with DRS assistance, Norris with DRS assistance made a move around the inside of Alonso down the main-straight to take fourth place as further back – Verstappen passed Stroll for seventh place making the dive up the inside of the Aston Martin into the turns six and seven chicane.
Lap five saw Leclerc’s lead over Piastri at 2.271 seconds with Russell third, Norris fourth, Alonso fifth, Bortoleto sixth, Verstappen seventh, Stroll eighth, Lawson ninth as Bearman completed the top ten runners.
Race control noted both Sauber’s of Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg for false-jump starts.
Hulkenberg came in to switch his softs for the C4 yellow-marked mediums and dropped to the rear.
Out-front – race leader Leclerc’s gap over Piastri was sitting at 2.7 seconds and with the undercut the powerful option at the Hungaroring, the Australian would need to keep as close to the Ferrari as possible to keep that potential undercut on hand.
On the eighth lap – Alonso was the cork in the bottle at the moment in fifth place – his young protege Bortoleto was in DRS range, along with Verstappen, Stroll, Lawson – Also everyone down to Alpine’s Franco Colapinto in P18 as the DRS train forms.
No further investigation for Bortoleto in terms of the false start.
Leclerc’s lead on lap ten over Piastri was at 2.9 seconds with Russell third, Norris fourth, Alonso fifth, Bortoleto sixth, Verstappen seventh, Stroll eighth, Lawson ninth whilst Bearman rounded out the top ten.
Hulkenberg was hit with a five-second-timed-penalty by the race stewards for his false jump start.
In the fight for third place – Norris was pushing hard – he was stuck behind Russell’s Silver Arrow, who in turn is 1.9 seconds off the back of Piastri’s MCL39 entry. In the cooler conditions, Russell’s Mercedes is right in this race, and so is the Ferrari whilst the McLaren dominates more so in the heat.
On the 11th tour – Piastri had just lapped three tenths faster than Leclerc as he posted a new personal best lap. Russell dropped back as he started to defend from the McLaren as Norris was told that “we need to get past Russell.”
Lap 12 saw Alonso’s DRS train not far off creating a pit stop window for the leaders at this stage of proceedings. They are all content to push harder, and the decision has yet to be made as to whether to jump early for the undercut or remain out and bring the one-stopper into the equation.
On the 14th lap – Leclerc lead was almost three seconds, and Piastri had a similar margin to Russell in third. Norris had dropped out of DRS range in fourth place, to cool his tyres.
Colapinto was next to pit from 18th to switch his mediums for a fresh set of hards and emerged at the back of the field.
Lap 15 saw Aston Martin have two cars in the points at this stage of proceedings, and they could well split strategies. As could Racing Bulls, with Isack Hadjar in P11 with nothing to lose.
A couple more cars came in for their first stops – Williams’ Alexander Albon and Haas’s Esteban Ocon. Mediums for Albon who began on the softs, hards for Ocon who started on the medium compounds.
On the 16th tour – Norris was complaining about his tyres – that is why he fell back from Russell, although he was now back in DRS range.
Sainz had just pitted, removing his softs and grabbing some hards.
Lap 17 saw Piastri starting to push again. The gap had come down to 2.6s and he had indeed been told to push.
The next tour – Leclerc responded to Piastri out-front – using that fresh air to his advantage.
Behind them, Verstappen pitted from P7. He was trying to undercut Bortoleto and Alonso. Hards for the reigning world champion. A handy 2.3 seconds stop there from the Red Bull crew, and he emerged behind Hulkenberg, who had already stopped.
On the 19th lap, Norris reported that his tyres were gone as his second placed team-mate Piastri pitted for a fresh set of hards to try and undercut Leclerc.
Lap 20 – race leader Leclerc was told to box and done so along with Russell and both put on the hards and the former managed to come out in-front of Piastri and Russell in sixth and behind Bortoleto.
A tour later with DRS assistance on the main-straight – Leclerc passed Alonso to move up into second place.
On lap 22 – Norris was now in trouble. Pitting, and the Briton would be a distant fourth. Behind him – Russell was flying, he swept past Bortoleto as Piastri gets Alonso on the main-straight.
Antonelli came in for Mercedes as well, the pit window was well and truly open.
Lao 23 the situation up-front was Leclerc sitting 11.5 seconds behind Norris, and Piastri is a further two seconds back with Alonso fourth in-front of Russell.
On lap 24 – in the battle four fourth, Alonso remained ahead of Russell, who was 1.5 seconds behind the Spaniard right now. Hamilton was up to P11 on those hard tyres, but the seven-time world champion had yet to pit.
Lap 25 – Norris remained out on his original medium tyres, whilst team-mate Piastri is in third having pitted for some C3 hards. Behind them – Verstappen was unhappy behind in 12th place after being stuck in traffic from the start.
On the 26th tour – Piastri was starting to ask the question about a one-stop strategy. Which the Australian was told looked a difficult option today.
Russell behind finally got Alonso on the inside into the opening corner. Back up to fourth for the Mercedes driver, but he is now 7.3 seconds behind Piastri.
Lap 27 – the situation was Norris remained out on his original C4 yellow-branded medium tyres. But he was lapping a second slower than both Leclerc and Piastri.
The 28th tour – With Norris staying out and still having a lead at 5.5 seconds, with both Leclerc and Piastri asking questions behind about their strategy. But on paper, the two-stop remained the faster option.
Meanwhile, Norris was asked by his team about a one-stop – “40 laps on a hard tyre.”
“Yeah, why not,” Norris responded.
Verstappen had made a move on Hamilton, and it was an aggressive move into turn 4. So aggressive it sent Hamilton wide. Verstappen was up into 11th at this stage.
On the 30th lap – Norris’s lead was at four seconds over Leclerc with Piastri third, Russell fourth, Alonso fifth, Bortoleto sixth, Stroll seventh, Lawson eighth, Bearman ninth as Verstappen completed the top ten.
Lap 31 saw Norris leading by 3.4 seconds from Leclerc, with Piastri closing in behind and just 1.4 seconds back. Those two still lapping a second faster than race leader Norris.
Russell was not closing up to the back of Piastri though and was over eight seconds back.
On lap 32 – Norris finally pitted from the lead and emerged in fourth place behind Russell and crucially ahead of Alonso who was still yet-to-stop.
The incident involving Verstappen and Hamilton was under investigation by the stewards.
Lap 33 saw Leclerc back in the lead of the race – the Monegasque driver was 1.4 seconds ahead of Piastri, with those two likely to stop again. Russell in third was also on a two-stopper, but Norris in fourth had already done his only pit stop for the race.
At half race distance (lap 35) – Leclerc lead by 1.8 seconds as he built a gap to Piastri. Both are on the harder tyres. Russell was not closing in on them, he was third and held a lead of 8.4 seconds over Norris.
Hadjar pitted from tenth and came back out in P19 after his pit stop.
On lap 37, Stroll pitted from seventh for his fresh set of hards and came out in 12th place behind Sainz. Further up – Norris was flying, the Briton posted a new fastest lap and had taken a second out of Russell’s lead in the battle for third place.
In the battle for the lead – Leclerc’s gap tipped over the two second barrier in the battle with championship leader Piastri.
On lap 39 – the situation was Leclerc’s gap was 1.8 seconds with Piastri comfortably 7.9 seconds clear of Russell. Norris was closing fast though, just 5.7 seconds back from the Mercedes and the McLaren driver 15.4 seconds off the lead, with a pit stop here being 18-20 seconds.
So, as it stood, Leclerc and Piastri will be overtaking Norris late on.
Lap 40 – Piastri was asked whether his priority is tyre delta to Norris or undercutting Leclerc for the victory. He very much says Norris, with his focus on his championship aspirations.
On lap 41, Leclerc pitted for a fresh set of hards and came out in fourth place and over seven seconds down on third-placed Norris.
The 42nd tour – Piastri was told to push. He led the race by 9.2 seconds from Russell.
The incident involving Hamilton and Verstappen would be investigated after the race.
On the 43rd tour – Piastri was still out there in the lead, Russell was second but had Norris for company in his DRS zone.
Leclerc was seven seconds behind Norris and needed to overtake him on track to win today.
And Hamilton finally pitted for his fresh set of mediums and dropped to 15th.
Lap 44 – Russell pitted, and that promoted Norris to second. So Piastri was leading by 10.7 seconds, and Leclerc was a further 6.4 seconds back.
On the 45th tour – Norris had found plenty of speed. He was almost two seconds quicker than Piastri on that last lap.
On lap 46, Piastri pitted from the lead with a fresh set of hards and came out in third place behind Leclerc.
The 47th tour – the situation was Norris leading by 7.3 seconds from Leclerc, and Piastri was a further 4.8 seconds back. Norris needed to push, and he was asking for blue flags as he was coming right up behind lots of traffic ahead.
On lap 49 – Leclerc was not closing in, but Piastri was. With the Australian now just 2.9 seconds behind the Ferrari driver.
Lap 50 – Verstappen pitted from fifth for another set of hards and came out in ninth place behind Lawson.
The 51st tour – with DRS assistance and on the main-straight Piastri made a move around the outside of Leclerc at turn one to jump into second place.
On lap 52 – Bearman was carrying damage, and he came into the garage and parked it as the Briton was the first retiree of the day.
Up-front, Piastri was 8.2 seconds behind his team-mate, and already 2.2 seconds in-front of Leclerc. But the top three were still all stuck in traffic.
On the 53rd tour – Norris was past Gasly and needed to pick off Ocon, before he gets a bit of clear air. Piastri still needs to get past Albon and Gasly.
And in third, Leclerc was very, very frustrated. calling his car “undriveable” and said it will be a “miracle” if he finished on the podium.
On the 55th lap – Norris’s lead was at six seconds. the Briton was told if a Safety Car came out, they would pit as they’d only fall to second behind team-mate Piastri. “Soft,” he said. There were small drops of rain at turn 13.
The 56th tour – The two McLaren’s of Norris and Piastri had cleared a lot of traffic and a little gap to Hamilton ahead.
Norris was leading by 5.5 seconds, whilst Piastri was lapping six tenths faster.
On lap 58 – the gap out-front between Norris and Piastri was at 4.3 seconds with the latter rapidly catching his team-mate.
Some other news – an overtake between Hulkenberg and Tsunoda few laps ago was under investigation, but no further action was decided by the stewards.
Lap 59 – the situation was Piastri sitting 3.6 seconds back from Norris in the battle for the win, but behind, the final podium place was up for grabs.
A struggling Leclerc was just 0.5 seconds in-front of Russell, who had DRS and is filling the Ferrari’s mirrors. Russell was chasing his first podium since the Canadian Grand Prix.
With ten laps remaining – Piastri was still lapping faster, but not by as much – the gap was down to 3.4 seconds.
With nine laps left, Russell had a look at Leclerc almost into turn one – but the latter covered the former.
“That was moving under braking,” fumed Russell over the radio about the move on the previous tour. But he calmed himself down, dived down the inside into the opening corner and got the move done to take the final podium place.
The incident involving Leclerc and Russell was noted by the race stewards as Norris was coming up behind Hamilton, Hadjar and Antonelli – all of whom are fighting for the final points position.
With five laps remaining – Piastri was right in DRS range of race leader Norris with the gap at 0.624 seconds, Russell was a further 21.032 seconds off in third, Leclerc fourth, Alonso fifth, Bortoleto sixth, Stroll seventh, Lawson eighth, Verstappen ninth as Antonelli completed the top ten.
Both McLaren cars cleared Hadjar, another one to jump out of the way and perhaps in his own way, wrecked the Frenchman’s chance of fighting for tenth.
But this is about the win today. And Piastri had DRS.
Antonelli was the next to get blue flags, and they both get past into turn 13.
On lap 67 – Norris lead by nine tenths of a second over team-mate Piastri. He held his team mate at bay that time round. The Briton needed to save his battery, and use it down the main straight on each and every lap here to offset that DRS.
On lap 68, It was closer, but Piastri was not close enough. The Australian came from a long way back and tried the late braking manoeuvre but it was not to be.
On the penultimate tour – Piastri made a very late lunge, he suffered a locked up and just missed Norris.
On the final lap – The last time on the main straight. “Same reminder Oscar,” Piastri was told about the late lunge. Piastri was just too far back and could not make a move.
Norris had this, as Leclerc received a five second time penalty for erratic driving.
Norris crossed the line to take the Hungarian GP 0.698 seconds over team-mate Piastri as Mercedes Russell completed the top three.
Leclerc finished fourth and in-front of Alonso who placed fifth and Bortoleto who took an impressive sixth for Sauber.
Stroll followed in seventh and ahead of Lawson who took eighth whilst Verstappen and Antonelli rounded out the top ten.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – The Situation
The 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season returns this weekend following its traditional summer break beginning with the Dutch Grand Prix at the Circuit Zandvoort.
Lando Norris triumphed at three of the final four races before the sport’s three-weekend hiatus to bring the points gap down to McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the Driver’s Standings to just nine points in what is becoming an increasingly intense title fight.
Norris will be aiming to keep his momentum going and will be confident in doing so after winning last year’s event in style, silencing reigning world champion Max Verstappen’s orange army of fans.
Whilst it remains to be seen if Red Bull will have competitive pace at Zandvoort, Verstappen will no doubt be giving it absolutely everything in-front of his home support on the Dutch coast.
Ferrari will also be hoping to break into the battle between the two McLaren’s out-front, with the Maranello-marque still searching for its first Grand Prix victory of the season.
Seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton was left despondent by his qualifying form before the sport’s break but will be revitalised to as he resumes on his quest for a first Grand Prix podium in the Prancing Horse racing suit.
Piastri heads to Zandvoort sitting on top of the World Driver’s Championship with 284 points and a nine-point advantage over team-mate Lando Norris who is second on 275 points whilst Verstappen is a further 97 points behind the Australian in third on 187 points.
McLaren Formula 1 Teams comes to the Netherlands on top of the Constructors Championship with 559 points and a massive 299-point lead over nearest rivals Scuderia Ferrari who are second on 260 points whilst Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team are a further 323 points behind the Woking based-squad in third place on 236 points.
2025 Dutch GP Preview – Cadillac announce signings of Bottas, Perez on multi-year deals
Formula 1’s newest outfit Cadillac Formula 1 Team announced their 2026 driver line-up of veterans 10-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas and six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Perez for the team’s debut in the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season.
Together both Bottas and Perez bring a blend of experience, leadership and technical vision to position the Cadillac team to hit the track running as it joins the pinnacle of motorsport.
Both drivers, 35, make a remarkable return to the sport after losing their respective seats at the end of last campaign.
With more than 500 combined Grand Prix starts, over 100 podiums and deep development expertise, the duo will play a major role in shaping the team’s foundation from the very beginning.
Bottas enjoyed great success at Mercedes, playing a key role in the Silver Arrows scoring Constructor’s Championship victories from 2017-2021.
“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” explained Bottas. “This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid,”
“I’ve had the honour of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here. This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.” Bottas concluded, credit to Cadillac for the quote.
For Perez, the Mexican enjoyed some time of the way from the sport since his departure from Oracle Red Bull Racing to spend time with his family, whilst Bottas stayed in the F1 paddock as Mercedes reserve driver following his Sauber exit.
Perez brings with him solid Formula One experience, having raced for Sauber, McLaren, Force India/Racing Point before moving to Red Bull, where he helped win the Constructor’s Championships in 2022 and 2023.
Perez commented: “Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honour to be part of a building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on. I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud.”
With the backing of TWG Motorsports and General Motors, Cadillac will be operating from three motorsport hubs including: Charlotte, North Carolina, Fishers, Indiana and Silverstone, UK.
“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” explained Team Principal Graeme Lowdon. “They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team. Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding.” Lowdon concluded, credit to Cadillac for the quote.
CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and TWG Motorsports, a division of TWG Global, Dan Towriss commented on the driver pairing: “Bottas and Checo bring the perfect balance of talent, maturity, and drive. They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for. This moment marks more than just a lineup announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.”
“Our new drivers are a welcome addition to the Cadillac racing family— each brings a depth of experience, and an unwavering passion to win,” explained Mark Reuss, GM President. “Together, we’re building the foundation for American motorsports that will be an extraordinary legacy for Cadillac, GM and the sport.” Reuss concluded, credit to Cadillac for the quote.
The Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025 weekend begins Friday August 29 with Free Practice 1 and 2, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying Saturday August 30 and the 72 lap Race Sunday August 31.
