Dutch Grand Prix could be a ‘mess’ for Max Verstappen and F1 rivals as weather forecast emerges

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Max Verstappen is aiming for a fourth consecutive victory at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend. Nobody has beaten him in either qualifying or the race since the event returned to the calendar in 2021.

If he continues that streak, he’ll tie Michael Schumacher (Germany), Nigel Mansell (Great Britain) and Juan Manuel-Fangio (Argentina) for fourth on the all-time list of home Grand Prix wins. Only Lewis Hamilton (nine at Silverstone), Alain Prost (six in France) and Jim Clark (five in Britain) would rank ahead.

Verstappen had to fend off intense competition from Hamilton in 2021 but has enjoyed the benefit of a dominant car in the past two years. Based on recent form, though, McLaren and Mercedes will be difficult to beat this time around.

Last year’s Dutch GP posed a unique challenge as an early shower scrambled the pack. The track then dried up before a downpour led to a 45-minute red-flag delay.

Verstappen, as he has done so often during his recent dominance, appeared unruffled. Sergio Perez leapfrogged him with an earlier change to wet tyres, but the world champion reeled him in with ease.

Wind and rain could cause Dutch GP chaos for Max Verstappen and F1 rivals

According to RacingNews365 NL, there will be rain on all three days at Zandvoort. It will be heaviest on Saturday, with five millimetres expected.

It will also be of a moderate intensity on Friday (4mm) before lighter rain on Sunday (2mm). It remains to be seen what impact this has on the F1 running.

The wind could also be an important factor. The gust intensity will reach five on the Beaufort scale on all three days, which is the equivalent of nine to 11 metres per second.

That may not sound significant, but it’s worth remembering that the Zandvoort circuit is stationed on the North Sea coastline. No wonder, then, that podcast host Joris Mosterdijk foresees ‘a turbulent mess’.

Why the Dutch Grand Prix could fall off the F1 calendar after 2025

It’s possible that this weekend could mark the penultimate running of the Dutch GP in what would be a short-lived return. The circuit’s contract is up next year.

And circuit director Robert van Overdijk says Zandvoort’s future is not guaranteed. Negotiations continue, but his comments at the end of last month suggest an agreement isn’t yet close.

Verstappen’s recent success is driving a surge of interest in the Netherlands. But it’s unclear what will happen when he retires, with no obvious successor emerging in the junior ranks.

Former F1 driver Christian Danner believes Verstappen could retire early. And the 61-time race-winner has refused to rule out such a move if his enthusiasm wanes.