Lando Norris takes pole position at Zandvoort for final Dutch Grand Prix

Final race weekend at Circuit Zandvoort

Formula 1 returned from its three-week summer break on Sunday, 23 August 2026, for the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort. The 2026 race marks the final running at the track before it leaves the Formula 1 calendar, as the venue's promotional contract was not renewed beyond this season. Circuit Zandvoort previously returned to the championship schedule in 2021 following a 35-year hiatus. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen entered the weekend aiming for a fourth home victory, having won three prior editions in front of orange-clad Dutch supporters. Weather conditions remained cool on Sunday afternoon following wet practice and qualifying sessions, where rain caused several drivers to slide into gravel traps.

Sprint race results and grand prix qualifying

The event served as the fifth sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 championship season. Mercedes driver George Russell secured sprint pole on Friday and converted that grid slot into a sprint race victory on Saturday afternoon. In qualifying for Sunday's main grand prix, Lando Norris took pole position for McLaren, putting the team at the head of the field. Norris previously secured his and McLaren's first victory of the 2026 campaign at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest before the summer shutdown. The result helped McLaren begin the second half of the calendar in stronger form as reigning world constructors' champions.

Drivers and constructors championship standings

In the Drivers Championship standings, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the title race with 219 points after securing a podium finish in Hungary. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton occupies second place on 169 points, sitting 50 points behind Antonelli. George Russell holds third place on 160 points, trailing Hamilton by five points and giving Mercedes two drivers near the top of the table. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ranks fourth with 138 points, followed by Norris in fifth with 128 points and Verstappen in sixth with 109 points. In the team standings, Mercedes leads the Constructors Championship with 379 points.

Lower grid positions and broadcast schedule

Lower down the championship table, McLaren's Oscar Piastri sits seventh with 92 points, Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar is eighth with 68 points, Liam Lawson holds ninth with 43 points, and Alpine's Pierre Gasly is tenth with 42 points. Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad has 23 points, Alpine's Franco Colapinto has 19 points, Haas driver Ollie Bearman has 18 points, and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto has 10 points. Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon hold 6 and 5 points, Haas driver Esteban Ocon has 3 points, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg has 2 points, and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso has 1 point. Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, and Sergio Perez have zero points. Live television coverage began at 12:30 BST in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports and Sky Go, while Apple TV streamed all sessions in the United States.