Dutch Grand Prix Tips & Preview - Will Verstappen equal record with home win?

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 24 Aug 2023

Jeremy Darke 24 Aug 2023

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Max Verstappen has 8 consecutive race wins.
The action starts in Australia at 14:00 BST on Sunday, August 27
Will Verstappen tie Vettel’s Consecutive wins record?

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Max Verstappen fans will be in full-force this weekend at the Dutch GP in Zandvoort. (Getty Images)

2023 Dutch Grand Prix Tips
Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying Best Bet
Dutch Grand Prix Best Bet
Dutch GP Points Finish Best Bet

2023 Dutch Grand Prix Tips

It has been four long weeks since we have had any F1. The action will return in a sea of orange as we head to Zandvoort where home-grown hero Max Verstappen will have the chance to equal the Consecutive Race Victories record of Sebastian Vettel, by claiming his ninth win in a row.

The 4.3km CM.com Circuit Zandvoort, is one of the shortest circuits on the F1 calendar, which comprises mainly of tight twists and turns that will suit a setup of high downforce. There are two DRS zones, however, it is only the pit straight that will get the cars up to speed to do any relatively easy overtaking.

With the tight nature of the track and the hard slow corners the tyres do take a beating and the most common strategy this weekend will be a two-stopper or with the help of a safety car at the right time, possibly even three.

With the record on the line it is hard to see anything other than another Max Verstappen win in the Dutch Grand Prix. Since the race was returned to Zandvoort circuit in 2021, Verstappen has dominated, taking pole position and the race win in consecutive years.

Mercedes did push the reigning champ in last year’s race at the seaside circuit, but some late overtaking, on a track that isn’t known for so much passing, got Verstappen the win with a four-second gap.

Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying Best Bet

Expecting anything other than a Max Verstappen Pole is ludicrous really. The Dutchman has taken pole the last 2 years in Zandvoort and has also been the fastest qualifier in six of the last seven Formula 1 races. The odds are short at $1.40 but there is no value backing anyone else.

Dutch Grand Prix Best Bet

When it comes to the race things do get a little more interesting. Get whatever value you can get by backing Verstappen for a race victory and pole position.

If you are brave enough then take the treble by adding the fastest lap in with the win+pole combination, which isn’t a bad bet considering the championship leader pulled it off in last year’s Dutch GP.

The podium battle is where things get exciting. McLaren had a horrible weekend before the break, considering Lando Norris had two second-place finishes in the two events prior to Spa, where he finished 7th.

The McLaren engineers got the setup all wrong, giving the MCL60 too much downforce for such a high-speed track. That won’t be a problem at Zandvoort, with heavy downforce the key to a good result.

Mercedes pushed Verstappen to his limit in the 2022 Dutch GP with George Russell coming in second just four seconds after the race winner. The Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 has been impressive with tyre degradation in 2023, allowing both Hamilton and Russell to go on longer stints than the rest of the field, especially on the hard tyre.

Tyre management is of all importance this weekend and we could see Mercedes attempt a single-stop strategy which could put them in a very handy position if they can get some luck with a timely safety car.

Either of these two drivers could up on the podium, if not both if Red Bull’s Sergio Perez finds himself in qualifying trouble again. I am leaning towards Norris to regain his form and put the papaya on the podium once again in 2023.

Dutch GP Points Finish Best Bet

The Alpine A523 has looked its best when on a high-downforce circuit, with the clearest example displayed with Esteban Ocon’s 3rd place finish on the tight and technical circuit of Monaco.

Although Zandvoort is a built circuit it has many similar characteristics of a street track with not a lot of space for overtakes and no real high-speed straights.

Look for both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly to do well here, but based on form I will be backing Ocon for a points finish.

Verdict

Dutch Grand Prix

It is all about Verstappen who can take the treble at his home grand prix. Lando Norris is tipped to come back to form with another podium, while Ocon will finish in the points on a track that suits both drivers' cars.

Max Vertappen

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Lando Norris

Race Podium

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Esteban Ocon

Points Finish

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