An update on the weather conditions at Zandvoort this weekend
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is shaping up to be a tricky one. A mixture of fine weather and showers is expected, with gusty winds likely to disrupt qualifying. The race, however, should be run on a dry track with calmer winds.
Formula 1 finally resumes this weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix. The event marks the beginning of the second half of the 2024 season. After a three-week summer break during which many drivers were able to enjoy their holidays, the weather conditions in Zandvoort will bring the drivers back to reality. While some may have enjoyed the sun, the grid will be greeted with rain this week. The fifteenth race of the season could offer the same show as last year.
Zandvoort, known for its challenging climate, had not given the drivers a chance last year. While the rain poured down on the track, several drivers had left the track, leading to a red flag. This weekend will also not escape the capricious conditions. In 2023, all the tires available had been used during the race and this situation could well happen again. With some showers announced over the weekend, the drivers will have to remain vigilant if they want to avoid the chaos of the last Grand Prix.
Friday: A mix of good weather and showers
For this new edition, the weekend starts on Friday with the first two free practice sessions. The weather will be the mildest on this day of the weekend. Forecasts suggest that while the first session could remain completely dry, the second is more likely to be disrupted by rain. Despite a low risk of showers, it is mainly the wind that could be problematic. Strong wind gusts are expected during the day, reaching up to 80km/h. Although this information may seem insignificant at first glance, it could add difficulty by making car control particularly challenging. On the contrary, the track temperature should not cause any issues as the temperatures in Zandvoort are around 20°C.
Saturday: Rain is joining the track.
If Friday appeared rather calm, the forecasts for this Saturday are all the more worrying. The risks of rain are particularly high both in the morning and in the afternoon. Saturday will host the third free practice session, as well as the qualifying session. The arrival time of the rain remains uncertain, but it’s in the afternoon, during the qualifications, that the risk is highest. Once again, gusts will make an appearance on the track, but this second day of racing should be much calmer. With gusts that are not supposed to exceed 55 km/h, the risk of instability on the car decreases. But if gusts and rain combine, it could tell a whole different story. There is a strong likelihood that the starting grid will offer a surprising combination.
Sunday: The rain should not show its face.
The weather conditions for this final day suggest a calm race, far from the rain of the past few days. While there is still a chance of showers with the regular changes at Zandvoort, the race should take place on a dry track. However, it will still be necessary to wait and see the conditions during the night to make sure that the start of the race does not take place on intermediate tires. The sun should finally be part of the weekend this Sunday and comes with it some good news. If previously the grid could worry about strong gusts, the wind will decrease drastically, reaching a maximum of only 30 km/h. With a starting grid that could still be surprising, things will resume their course on this final day.
So we will have to be careful with the unpredictable weather of Zandvoort this weekend. If it shouldn’t cause any problems for the most anticipated event, the days leading up to it are just as important for the teams. With gusts of wind and the possibility of losing control of the vehicle, we could also expect to be short of a car this Sunday. However, the Dutch Grand Prix should be able to avoid the chaos of last year.
