The last time the F1 paddock went racing, we were treated with a dominant run of performance. The only difference was this that this time it was not Max Verstappen at the head of it. Lando Norris had a fantastic run of performance and became the measuring scale of performance. This week, at the Monza GP, we are expecting nothing less. What are all the expected news and what has happened since the last race weekend, catch it all in this F1 Race weekend preview.

TITLE FIGHT

The most significant change that has been seen in the second part of the season is how much the Championship fight has changed.

Max Verstappen currently sits at P1 with 295 points to his name, 70 points ahead of his nearest rival Norris. This looks a big gap for F1 standards but when you consider the massive development that Mclaren has undergone lately, its game on. On the Teams side of things, its close as ever. Redbull Racing are leading with just a 30 point buffer to Mclaren Racing, truly hinting at a fight incoming.

Ferrari in new colors

The crowd favourite for the weekend, Scuderia Ferrari, have revealed new suits and a tweaked livery for the Monza GP.

The Tifosi, as the Ferrari fans proudly call themselves, show up in huge numbers to suport their team every time. On the performance side, Ferrari have been doing better lately with Leclerc scoring a podium at the last race. They are currently sitting in P3, 34 points away from second placed Mclaren. Emotions are also up for Carlos Sainz, who is attending his last Monza GP in Ferrari colors.

Mercedes second seat about to be announced

Many sources have been hinting at a potential announcement of Mercedes protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the second seat at Mercedes F1.

In other news, Kimi is also going to take a go in FP1 in Russell’s car. All this seat time will help him get familiar with the know-how of F1. Both the current Mercedes drivers have been full of praise for the Italian, with Hamilton saying he’s excited to see the youngster progress.

Renault personnel to protest at Monza GP

Renault employees are about to protest against the plans of the administration to shut down its F1 operations.

There is also about to be a peaceful protest in the grandstands of the Monza GP. These protests are coming up as the rumors of Alpine switching to Mercedes engines is floating. Also, there has been many personnel changes in the Alpine administration, with most recent change being the stepping down of Bruno Famin, the Team prinicipal of Alpine.

Williams make the change, Sargeant out of F1

Perhaps the biggest bombshell that has dropped this weekend is Williams dropping Logan Sargeant for the rest of the season with immediate effect.

He is being replaced by William Driver academy driver Franco Colapinto. Colapinto was participating in F2 till yet and is P6 in the F2 Championship. With Carlos Sainz set to join Williams for the next season, this news surprised us fans as Colapinto is being given the seat just for a period of 9 races. One person that will be elated will be Colapinto himself, ofcourse. After Sargeant, he has got the perfect opportunity to settle and prove himself at the world stage. Now whether he manages to make full use of this opportnity will be a wait-and-watch affair.

When and Where to watch

All the sessions will streamed on F1TV and Fancode in India.

Make sure to follow DesiRacingCo to never miss a motorsport update.

The 2024 Dutch GP saw exciting action, unpredictable strategies, and unexpected podium finishes, making it one of the most memorable races of the season. In front of his home crowd, Max Verstappen faced intense competition but couldn’t secure the win, leaving Lando Norris to take the top step of the podium. Here’s a detailed look at how the weekend happened.

Drama Unfolds at Zandvoort

The 2024 Formula 1 season continued its thrilling run as the drivers headed to the tight and technical Circuit Zandvoort. With its narrow, undulating track, this race was expected to challenge both driver skill and team strategy. While Verstappen, racing in front of his home fans, was the favorite, McLaren’s rising form and Lando Norris’ pace posed a serious threat. Rainy conditions added to the unpredictability, making strategy a key player throughout the weekend.

Free Practice 1: A McLaren Statement

Lando Norris set the fastest time in the first practice session (FP1) of the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, navigating tricky mixed conditions to clock a 1:12.947. The session was interrupted by a brief rain shower, making tyre strategy and timing crucial for all teams.

Max Verstappen finished just 0.130s behind Norris in second place, while Lewis Hamilton showed promising pace, securing third with a time of 1:13.063. The damp track early on led to some drivers struggling with grip, with a few minor off-track moments, including one for Charles Leclerc. The ever-changing weather at Zandvoort added an element of unpredictability, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling weekend.

Russell leads close-fought FP2 as Teams fine-tune setup for Dutch GP

George Russell topped the timesheets in a competitive second practice session at the Dutch GP, clocking a best lap of 1:11.965. The Mercedes driver narrowly edged out Oscar Piastri, who finished just 0.137s behind, while Lewis Hamilton secured third with a 1:12.149, making it a strong session for the Silver Arrows.

Conditions remained dry throughout, allowing teams to focus on race simulations and tire setups after a mixed-weather FP1. Max Verstappen, the home favorite, ended FP2 in fourth, just 0.237s off the pace. The session saw close margins, with the top six drivers within 0.3 seconds of each other, hinting at a tightly contested weekend ahead. Drivers and teams used this crucial hour to better their setups for Saturday’s qualifying, with multiple drivers expressing satisfaction with their car’s balance heading into the rest of the weekend.

Gasly tops eventful FP3 as Sargeant’s Crash halts session

Pierre Gasly set the fastest time in a dramatic FP3 at Zandvoort, posting a lap of 1:12.305. The Alpine driver outpaced home favorite Max Verstappen, who finished second by just 0.069s, while Sergio Perez secured third place for Red Bull.

The session was marred by a heavy crash from Logan Sargeant, who lost control at Turn 2 and slammed into the barriers, bringing out the red flag. Fortunately, the Williams driver walked away unscathed, but the accident shortened the session, with several drivers missing crucial setup time. Despite the disruption, teams managed to gather vital data ahead of qualifying, with Gasly’s performance offering a glimpse of his potential in the upcoming session.

Qualifying: Russell Shines, Norris on Pole

Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance to claim pole position at the 2024 Dutch GP, outpacing reigning champion Max Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. In a thrilling qualifying session at Zandvoort, Norris’ remarkable lap secured his second career pole, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in Sunday’s race.

Q1:

The first qualifying session of the 2024 Dutch GP kicked off with the usual intensity, as drivers scrambled to set competitive times. Sergio Perez managed to top the timing sheets with a strong lap, despite some concerns over a potential impeding incident with Lewis Hamilton. The session saw several close calls, and unfortunately, Daniel Ricciardo was one of the notable names who missed out on advancing to Q2 by just over a tenth of a second. Joining him on the sidelines were Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and Logan Sargeant. Sargeant was unable to participate after crashing in FP3, bringing an early end to his qualifying hopes.

Q2:

Lando Norris dominated Q2 with an impressive lap, beating his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by a razor-thin margin of just 0.009 seconds. However, the session wasn’t as kind to others. Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton both failed to make it into the top 10 shootout. Sainz, in particular, was edged out in the final moments as late improvements from Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon knocked him out of contention. Yuki Tsunoda, Nico Hulkenberg, and Kevin Magnussen also found themselves eliminated, setting the stage for a tense final session.

Q3:

In the final showdown for pole position, Lando Norris put in a remarkable performance to secure the top spot with a blistering lap of 1:09.673. This stunning effort saw him beat local hero Max Verstappen by over three tenths of a second, a surprising margin given Verstappen’s usual dominance at his home circuit. Oscar Piastri capped off a strong session for McLaren by securing third place, while George Russell managed to take fourth. Sergio Perez slotted into fifth, followed by Charles Leclerc in sixth and Fernando Alonso in seventh, rounding off a thrilling and unpredictable qualifying session at Zandvoort.

Race

In a race brimming with drama, McLaren’s Lando Norris secured a commanding victory at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, shattering Max Verstappen’s unbeaten home streak in front of a stunned Zandvoort crowd. With sharp strategies, bold overtakes, and varying pit stop tactics, the race was one to remember.

McLaren’s Moment: Norris dominates

After a steady qualifying session, Lando Norris lined up on the front row but quickly found himself in a chase as Verstappen jumped into the lead at the start. However, Norris remained focused, slowly chipping away at the reigning champion’s lead. By Lap 18, a daring DRS-assisted move saw Norris’s pass Verstappen and take the lead, much to the surprise of the Dutch fans.

From there, the McLaren driver never looked back, stretching his lead to a significant 22.8 seconds by the time the chequered flag waved. The team’s flawless strategy and his expert tire management allowed him to control the pace and seal his victory, making it one of the most significant wins of his career.

Oscar Piastri once again demonstrated his talent, keeping his McLaren in contention for much of the race. After pitting from the lead on Lap 33, Piastri found himself in a fierce battle with Leclerc for third. Though he couldn’t quite get past the Ferrari, Piastri secured a commendable fourth place finish, adding to McLaren’s strong showing.

Verstappen stumbles in front of home crowd

Max Verstappen, looking to extend his dominance at Zandvoort to a fourth consecutive year, initially seemed in control. He managed the early stages well, keeping Norris at bay and navigating the tight corners of the Zandvoort circuit with ease. However, Norris’ relentless pressure coupled with Red Bull’s sub-optimal strategy saw Verstappen fall behind.

Despite switching to hard tires on Lap 27, Verstappen couldn’t regain the upper hand as Norris steadily pulled away. Verstappen was left lamenting handling issues over the radio, commenting that the car “doesn’t respond to my inputs.” In the end, he finished second, a distant 22.8 seconds behind Norris—an uncharacteristic result for the Dutch champion at his home race. Horner told Sky Sports F1-

“Congrats to Lando and McLaren, their car was in a different league today, We did everything we could, Max converted P2 into a lead, but you could see their pace was in a different league.”

Ferrari’s Resilience—Leclerc Grabs the Final Podium Spot

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had a rollercoaster weekend but ended it with a podium finish. After an impressive start, Leclerc fought his way into third, fending off a charging Oscar Piastri in the closing laps. His performance was one of determination and defense, holding onto the final podium place after a challenging race, a solid P3, a result that the Monegasque admitted he had not expected.

“[I’m] very, very surprised,” Leclerc explained immediately after the Grand Prix. “I’m not very often happy with P3, but I think with today’s race we can be extremely happy with the job we’ve done on a difficult weekend for the team.”

Meanwhile, teammate Carlos Sainz put on a brilliant display of overtaking, muscling past Sergio Perez’s Red Bull to take fifth place after a late-race battle. Ferrari’s strategic calls and aggressive driving earned them vital points as they continue to fight for constructors’ honors.

Mercedes Struggles but Secures Points

For Mercedes, the Dutch GP was mixed. Lewis Hamilton, starting from a compromised grid position, fought his way through the field with a series of impressive overtakes, including one on Nico Hulkenberg at Turn 1. Despite struggling for straight-line speed, Hamilton made it into the top ten, finishing seventh after switching to soft tires late in the race to claim the fastest lap.

George Russell had a similarly challenging Dutch GP but managed to secure sixth, right behind Sainz and Perez. Russell’s consistent performance under pressure showed Mercedes’ persistence, even if they weren’t able to challenge for the podium this weekend.

The Midfield Battles – Gasly and Alonso Fight On

Behind him, the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso had a fierce scrap in the midfield.

Gasly’s daring moves earned him ninth place, while Alonso rounded out the points in tenth. The midfield battles were intense, with several wheel-to-wheel moments providing excitement throughout the race.

Drama and Disappointment in the lower order

Not everyone had a successful race at Zandvoort. Hulkenberg’s early momentum faded as he dropped out of the points, finishing in 11th place. The Haas driver could not keep pace with the top ten after a poor tyre strategy and a series of pit stops disrupted his rhythm.

Lance Stroll endured a penalty-ridden race, including a five-second pit lane speed penalty that saw him fall to 13th place after what could have been a points finish. Meanwhile, Williams’ Alex Albon, who started from the back of the grid due to a floor irregularity, finished just outside the points in 14th place after a commendable recovery drive.

At the back, Alfa Romeo’s weekend went from bad to worse, as both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu finished two laps down, compounding the team’s struggles at the foot of the constructors’ standings.

The 2024 Dutch GP saw McLaren firmly establish itself as a force to be reckoned with, as Lando Norris took a commanding victory at the Dutch GP. Max Verstappen may have missed out on winning his home race, but his consistent performance keeps him well-positioned in the championship. For Mercedes and Ferrari, it was a weekend of mixed fortunes, with Russell showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately unable to challenge the McLarens and Red Bulls at the front. As the season moves forward, the rivalry between these top teams promises more electrifying races.

Next Stop: Monza—The Temple of Speed Awaits

The 2024 Formula 1 season heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix from August 30 to September 1. Known for its blistering speeds and passionate Tifosi, Monza’s high-speed straights and tight chicanes will push drivers and teams to the limit as the championship battle heats up.

Championship Standings after the race:

Follow DesiRacingCO on X to never miss a motorsport update. To know more about other motorsports, visit https://desiracingco.in/

As the F1 circus rolls into Zandvoort for the 2024 Dutch GP, all eyes are on Max Verstappen, who returns to his home circuit with something to prove. After a season that has shattered expectations, we’ve witnessed unprecedented competitiveness across the grid. With seven drivers claiming victory in the last 14 races, the 2024 Dutch GP presents itself as another opportunity for a new winner, or whether Verstappen’s home advantage will come in handy? Read about it all in the weekend preview from DRC.

Another Potential Record for Verstappen?

For fans, it’s been a refreshing change of pace from Red Bull’s previous dominance. Teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren are all stepping up to the challenge. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, finds himself in unfamiliar territory, with his last win dating back to Barcelona.

But if there’s one race Max Verstappen will be particularly determined to win, it’s the 2024 Dutch GP. As his home event, Verstappen is unlikely to let up, and for Red Bull, being competitive at Zandvoort is a must. Since the middle of the 2022 season, Verstappen has embarked on an extraordinary run of dominance, shattering records along the way. This weekend, he has the opportunity to add another milestone to his name. A win would make him only the fourth driver in F1 history to win their home race four times in a row, joining Lewis Hamilton, Jim Clark, and Juan Manuel Fangio.

Are Red Bull developmental plans & second seat going haywire?

Last year, Red Bull capitalized not only on their continuous upgrades but also on the struggles of their main rivals, Mercedes and Ferrari. However, this season is a different story, as both teams have addressed their issues over the winter and are now back in contention for race wins.

Red Bull’s latest innovations have provided some aerodynamic gains but have not delivered the expected performance boost. Technical Director Pierre Wache has openly acknowledged these challenges.

We improved compared to last year, without a doubt,” he told Autosport.

“But we didn’t deliver what we expected in some areas. 

A significant concern for the reigning champions is that they have already introduced several major update packages, while other top teams, particularly McLaren, still have substantial upgrades to come.

Red Bull’s challenges this season extend beyond car performance. Perez’s recent drop from 2nd to 7th in the final race before the summer break has highlighted his difficulty in keeping pace with rivals from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Despite this, Red Bull has opted not to replace him, instead focusing on his discomfort with the RB20, particularly his complaints about a lack of grip.

To help Perez regain his early-season form, Red Bull plans to reintroduce older RB20 components. However, with McLaren and Mercedes improving and Ferrari set to introduce significant upgrades, even a return to form might not be enough.

Ferrari prepares for crucial upgrades at 2024 Dutch GP

At the start of the season, Ferrari emerged as Red Bull’s closest challenger. However, as McLaren and Mercedes have made significant strides, Ferrari’s decline has been largely self-inflicted. The upgrades introduced to the SF-24 in Spain failed to deliver the expected results, with the increased downforce reintroducing bouncing issues and forcing the team into setup compromises.

Ferrari has worked to mitigate these issues in recent races, and further corrections are expected at the 2024 Dutch GP. Changes to the rear suspension and diffuser should provide a more stable baseline, allowing Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to unlock greater performance and build confidence. However, the last few months have been tough for Ferrari, both on and off the track.

In addition to their development struggles, Ferrari has lost key personnel, most notably former technical director Enrico Cardile. As they search for his replacement, rumors suggest former Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott is being considered. This uncertainty, coupled with Ferrari’s lag in securing top talent like Adrian Newey, raises concerns about the team’s direction not only for the remainder of this season but also as the new regulations approach in 2025.

All Mighty McLaren

McLaren’s rise as a Championship contender this season has been marked by impressive performances from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both of whom claimed their maiden F1 victories.

The turning point came with a major upgrade package introduced in Miami, which catapulted the team to the front and erased Red Bull’s early advantage. However, despite their speed, McLaren has been hampered by strategic mistakes and operational issues, limiting their success and leaving them trailing Max Verstappen by significant margins in the Drivers’ standings.

Looking ahead, McLaren has a sequence of critical upgrades in the pipeline, which Team Principal Andrea Stella believes could boost their competitiveness in the latter half of the season.

“I’m surprised that we’ve been so competitive, considering that from Miami onwards, we haven’t actually brought trackside many new parts,”

Stella remarked. “Obviously, the Miami upgrade was big, but there’s some upgrades that will come in the second part of the season.”

With fresh upgrades on the horizon, McLaren is in a strong position to continue pushing Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, even as they face the challenge of closing the gap to Verstappen and contending with Ferrari and Mercedes.

Mercedes’ Future: Upgrades and Talent Pipeline

At the start of the 2024 season, Mercedes faced genuine concerns with the W15, which struggled with unpredictability and balance issues. However, the introduction of a new front wing in Monaco, along with other changes, significantly improved the car’s stability. This breakthrough allowed Mercedes to overcome earlier correlation issues and see the performance gains from the wind tunnel translate onto the track. With confidence growing, the team is poised for a final push of upgrades before shifting focus to the 2025 season.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has made Kimi Antonelli a priority for their future lineup.

The 17-year-old’s impressive performances in Formula 2, including a dominant victory at Silverstone, have bolstered his position as a potential F1 driver. Despite earlier speculation linking more established names like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz to Mercedes, the team is now set on integrating Antonelli into their plans for the 2025 season. Toto Wolff has highlighted Antonelli as a key focus, especially in light of the surprising contract announcement of Lewis Hamilton and the potential for instability at Red Bull.

Weather and Track information

The track in use this weekend is the Zandvoort circuit. The circuit remained a staple until 1985, before its much-anticipated return in 2021 after a 35-year hiatus. Located 35 km west of Amsterdam, Zandvoort is a 4.259 km (2.646 mi) track set in the North Sea dunes. Known for its challenging layout, Zandvoort features fast, sweeping corners like Scheivlak and the famous “Tarzanbocht” hairpin at the end of the main straight.

Tarzanbocht, with its unique camber, offers excellent overtaking opportunities. The circuit’s elevation changes, including a peak difference of 8.9 meters (29 feet), and highly banked turns like Turn 3 (19-degree incline) and Turns 13/14 (18-degree bank), add to the technical demands of the track, making it a true driver’s challenge.

The weather throughout the weekend is predicted as follows:

When and Where to watch

All the sessions will be streamed on F1 TV and Fancode.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday – 23 August

Practice 1 – 16:00 – 17:00

Practice 2 – 19:30 – 20:30

Saturday – 24 August

Practice 3 – 15:00 – 16:00

Qualifying – 18:30 – 19:30

Sunday – 25 August

Race – 18:30

Make sure to follow DesiRacingCo. on all socials to keep yourself updated on the happenings of the Motorsport world.