Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Dutch Grand Prix
2026 Formula 1 World Championship
Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands
Sunday 23 August, 13:00
Formula 1 returns from its summer break at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday 23 August, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both chasing championship leader Kimi Antonelli – while simultaneously battling each other for supremacy inside the Scuderia.
Hamilton has the stronger title position, sitting second on 169 points, 50 behind Antonelli. Leclerc is fifth on 138, but the Monegasque has momentum after winning the British Grand Prix and finishing second to Antonelli in Belgium. Hamilton, meanwhile, claimed his first Ferrari victory in Barcelona and remains firmly in the title picture despite a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Ferrari duo therefore arrive in the Netherlands with different challenges. Hamilton needs to turn consistency and experience into a sustained points haul to reduce Antonelli’s advantage, while Leclerc must close the 31-point gap to his teammate as well as the 81-point deficit to the Mercedes leader.
Their rivalry could become increasingly important as the season develops. Ferrari are second in the constructors’ championship on 307 points, 72 behind Mercedes, and the team will need both drivers consistently scoring heavily if they are to overhaul their rivals.
Hamilton’s own mindset has been shaped by his first season in red. “My fans last year were telling me to remind me of who I am, and now I'm having to show up each weekend and try to do that.” He added: “For a moment, I forgot who I was, but thanks to you and your support you're not going to see that mindset again.”
Leclerc, meanwhile, is looking to Ferrari’s development programme for another step forward. “Upgrades are so much more significant than in the past because it makes us do such a big step forward.” He added: “It’s going to be important that we stay on top of it and that we keep being aggressive, as aggressive as we’ve been with the development programme.”
With Antonelli having won six of the 11 Grands Prix so far, Ferrari’s two-pronged challenge could be crucial. At Zandvoort, Hamilton and Leclerc must find a way to work together – without losing sight of their own championship ambitions.
Drivers’ Championship standings (top five)
1 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 219 points
2 – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 169
3 – George Russell (Mercedes) – 160
4 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 138
5 – Lando Norris (McLaren) – 218
Constructors’ Championship standings (top five)
1 – Mercedes – 379 points
2 – Ferrari – 307
3 – McLaren – 220
4 – Red Bull Racing – 177
5 – Racing Bulls – 66
2025 Dutch Grand Prix podium
1 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
3 – Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
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