Zandvoort, a circuit built in the middle of the dunes

The holidays are over. It’s time for the drivers to put away their swimsuits and bring out their helmets and racing suits for this first Grand Prix of the second half of the season. And it starts off strong! The historic circuit of Zandvoort is far from being a walk in the park.

A fast and winding circuit

If the Dutch circuit hosted no less than 30 Grand Prix races between 1952, when it joined the F1 calendar, and 1985. It then experienced a 36-year hiatus due to safety and management issues, as well as concerns about environmental nuisances. It was finally two years ago, in 2021, that F1 reclaimed its rights there. Modified several times, the current circuit bears no resemblance to the original one. Only the pit straight and the first corner have been preserved.

Stretching over 4,259 km, the single-seaters will have to cover 72 laps, totaling 306.648 km, before being able to glimpse the checkered flag. The intense and fast corners, with blind entrances and technical braking zones, are an important feature of this track. In addition to making overtaking very difficult, they will put cars and drivers to the test.

Among the 14 turns that make up the circuit, two of them have been raised and inclined to offer a banking effect. Built in the sand dunes of this small coastal town on the North Sea, the rest of the track is also quite bumpy. With a vertical drop of up to 15 meters, it gives a real roller coaster effect.

Pirelli’s Choice

The slopes increase the vertical forces while the sand can make the asphalt slippery. To adapt to this track, considered one of the most demanding for tires, Pirelli has decided to bring its C1, C2, and C3 compounds, which are the same as last year. However, it should be noted that the current C1, introduced this year, is slightly softer and positions itself between the C2 and the old C1, now known as C0.

« This is a very winding circuit with two angled turns – turn 3 and turn 14 – that are steeper than Indianapolis, for comparison purposes. In this type of turn, the tires are more solicited than in regular turns, as the vertical forces increase with a much higher speed due to the inclination », explains Mario Isola, F1 manager for Pirelli.

In the past two editions, Max Verstappen, the local hero, had climbed to the top step of the podium to the delight of the Orange Army, who came in droves to cheer their local hero. Once again this year, Red Bull and their world champion are the clear favorites. On a circuit that suits them well, it is difficult to find a serious competitor. However, McLaren should be watched closely, as they have been in great form before the break. As for Ferrari and Mercedes, can they stand out? Find out this Sunday starting at 3:00 PM.