After the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps was washed out last Sunday, Formula 1’s second of three successive race weekends rolls into Zandvoort for the Dutch GP, with the paddock seeking better fare.
In what will be the first race held on the North Holland circuit since 1985, Lewis Hamilton continues to cling onto his World Drivers’ Championship advantage, after Max Verstappen’s half-points classification win last time out left the Briton just three points ahead in the standings.
Denied a race in front of his native fans last weekend, the Red Bull driver is afforded the luxury of another home GP in Round 12, this time on adopted Dutch soil. Verstappen is currently evens to win his seventh race of the season, but his odds will likely shorten.
For Hamilton meanwhile, the Mercedes man must finish ahead of Verstappen to retain his points lead. With the last man to win at Zandvoort being Niki Lauda some 36 years back, there have however, been no less than 10 British winners of the Dutch GP in 32 outings – four times by Jim Clark, three via Jackie Stewart, two won by James Hunt and the 1958 race victor, Stirling Moss. Could Hamilton become number 11? BetVictor have the Stevenage man to take the chequered flag at 2/1.
What of his likely new teammate for next season in George Russell? After a sensational runners-up spot at Spa was handed to him via the weather’s intervention, could the King’s Lynn driver make it a third-straight points finish for Williams in the Netherlands? Bet365 are offering 7/4 odds for it to happen, or a more fanciful top six result at 4s.
For the third Briton in the field, the book-ended races since F1’s summer break have been difficult ones for Lando Norris. After of six P5s or better between Monte Carlo and Silverstone, McLaren’s bright star was forced to retire in Hungary, before his high-speed spin at La Source last weekend left the Bristolian counting his blessings.
Might Lando make his presence felt this time around however? Whilst P6 or better looks likely, Norris can make the Dutch GP his fourth podium finish of the campaign and do so at 7/2 with PaddyPower, UniBet and Betfair.
