Verstappen favourite as F1 field prepare for Dutch Grand Prix

After a very controversial Belgian Grand Prix, the teams head for the Netherlands. Here’s hoping we get some wheel to wheel action this weekend as opposed to the safety car parade we got last time out.

Dutch Grand Prix
Sunday 5 September
Circuit Zandvoort

To Win Race Outright

Max Verstappen 23/20
Lewis Hamilton 23/20
Valtteri Bottas 18/1
Sergio Perez 18/1
Charles LeClerc 35/1
Lando Norris 35/1

Previous Race

Well, that was as boring as it gets. Last weekend’s rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix will not go down in the history books, that’s for sure.

After an extremely delayed start courtesy of a Sergio Perez crash on the way to the formation lap and a red flag after some very dicey warm-up laps, the race finally got underway, albeit behind a safety car with no overtaking allowed. After a few of these ‘ceremonial laps, the teams were dragged back into the pits with the race officially being called off.

With the race having been abandoned, we pretty much got the same finishing order that qualifying ended in with Max Verstappen taking first, George Russel claiming second and Lewis Hamilton left to settle for third.

There were a couple of veterans after them with Daniel Ricciardo claiming fourth and Vettel bringing his car across the line in fifth. The Top 6 was rounded out by Pierre Gasly.

The only changes from qualifying to the race result were Sergio Perez and Valterri Bottas with the former having lost seventh place after his crash on the way to the formation lap. Instead of Perez, Esteban Ocon claimed seventh while Charles LeClerc took eighth. The remainder of the Top 10 was made up of Nicolas Latfi (ninth) and Carlos Saiz (tenth).

Track

Built right next to the beach, Circuit Zandvoort has a certain charm to it. It kind of equates to the Saint Andrews of the motorsport world with greenery and sand contrasting each other- imagine that, a links racetrack!

Make no mistakes though, the drivers aren’t in for a Sunday cruise as this track provides some real threats with a number of tricky turns (14 to be precise) leading up to a massive straight.

The track returns after a 36-year hiatus, with the circuit first hosting a Grand Prix in 1952 which Alberto Ascari won convincingly. The track is fast and undulating with Tarzan corner at the end of teh start/finish straight boasting an 18-degree bank.

After last week’s torrential rain, there’s some welcome relief for all those concerned with the sport as only slight drizzles are being predicted for this coming weekend.

Value Bet

Lando Norris – Podium Finish at 4/1

Lando was brilliant last week in the wet before crashing hard in qualifying. If there is a bit of rain about you can expect the Brit to be right in the mix for a podium finish. 

To Win Race Outright

Max Verstappen 23/20

Circuit Zandvoort will be a sea of orange this weekend. Expect Verstappen to feed off of the energy of the crowd in his home Grand Prix.