- The 2024 Formula 1 season returns from summer break
- The Dutch Grand Prix marks round 15 of the 2024 F1 season
- Alpine announced reserve driver Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon for the 2025 season
After the three-week summer break, the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship continues this weekend with round 15, the Dutch Grand Prix.
The race once again takes place at Circuit Zandvoort, a historic site located among the dunes of the Netherlands' North Sea coast.
The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar in 2021 after more than three decades, proving to be an instant hit, not least because of the tricky nature of Circuit Zandvoort. The circuit is popular for its significant changes in altitude and banked corners, which all add to the theater.
It features a medium to high downforce layout that is one of the shortest on the calendar, at just 2.64 miles, and its narrow and twisty nature makes overtaking difficult. This means a good performance in qualifying is vital.
Circuit Zandvoort, home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix
The straights aren't long, so power units take a breather here. Many of the corners are flowing, so tires also have it easier compared to other tracks. Pirelli has nominated its hardest compounds for the race, the C1, C2, and C3.
One issue to look out for are the strong onshore winds that can upset the handling of the cars while also covering the track in sand from the adjacent dunes, making grip an issue.
The current weather forecast calls for rain during Saturday's qualifying session and fine conditions during Sunday's race.
Going into the weekend, Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen leads the 2024 Drivers' Championship with 277 points. McLaren's Lando Norris is second with 199 points and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is third with 177 points. In the Constructors' Championship, Red Bull leads with 408 points. McLaren is second with 366 points and Ferrari is third with 345 points.
Jack Doohan
Ahead of the race, Alpine annouced current reserve driver Jack Doohan, son of Australian motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, will drive for the team in 2025 as the replacement for Esteban Ocon. He will be joined by current Alpine driver Pierre Gasly. Ocon will remain in F1; in July he announced a deal with American team Haas.
Doohan is the first driver to graduate from Alpine's new driver development program into a race driver position with the team. He's quite the accomplished driver, having placed third overall in last year’s F2 season with three race wins, and becoming a runner-up in the 2021 F3 season. He also previously worked with Alpine's new team principal, Oliver Oakes, during an Asian F3 season.
