Formula 1 News: Dutch Grand Prix Marks the Start of the Second Half of the 2024 Season
As the Formula 1 summer break comes to an end, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of an action-packed 2024 season. With seven different race winners so far, including drivers from Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the competition is heating up.
When is the Next Formula 1 Race?
The next F1 race is the highly anticipated Dutch Grand Prix at the Circuit Zandvoort, marking the start of the second half of the year. The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 25 August 2024, with a start time of 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 9am ET / 11pm AEST.
Dutch Grand Prix Timings
Here are the full timings for the Dutch Grand Prix:
Friday, 23 August:
- FP1 – 11:30am BST / 6:30am ET / 8:30pm AEST
- FP2 – 3pm BST / 10am ET / 12am AEST
Saturday, 24 August:
- FP3 – 10:30am BST / 5:30am ET / 7:30pm AEST
- Qualifying – 2pm BST / 9am ET / 12am AEST
Sunday, 25 August:
- Race – 2pm BST / 9am ET / 10pm AEST
News Heading into the Dutch Grand Prix
Pirelli has announced that the tyre compounds available to teams for the Dutch GP will be three of the hardest in their catalogue, due to the hotter and more abrasive track. The chosen compounds are:
- Hard – C1
- Medium – C2
- Soft – C3
The C1 was introduced in 2023 to offer a mid-range hard tyre between the previous C1 and C2, filling the performance gap between the two compounds. The old C1 is now C0, and is the hardest compound offered by Pirelli. The C2 is now the third hardest compound available to teams and is best suited to faster and hotter tracks. Both the C1 and C2 will be the preferred choice of tyre by the teams, as they should last a significant proportion of the 66 laps. The softer C3s could potentially be used during the race but are more likely to be seen during Saturday’s qualifying session.
This is the third time this combination of Pirelli tyres has been used during the European leg of the 2024 season, with the C1, C2, and C3 tyres also being chosen for the Spanish and British Grands Prix.
Circuit Zandvoort
The Dutch GP is held at the Circuit Zandvoort, which has hosted the event on and off since 1952. It returned to the F1 calendar in 2021 after being removed from the schedule in 1985 due to concerns surrounding noise pollution for the local people. A newer circuit was finished in 2001, with a redesign that slightly lengthened the track to 2.646 miles (4.259km). In 2019, it was confirmed that the Circuit Zandvoort would return to the F1 calendar in 2020, but the return was delayed until the following year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Formula 1 track record is held by Lewis Hamilton, who set a time of 1:11.097 in 2021.
2023 Dutch Grand Prix Results
Last year’s Dutch GP saw Liam Lawson make his F1 debut with AlphaTauri after Daniel Ricciardo broke his hand during one of the practice sessions. The race was marked by dramatic weather conditions, with rain beginning to fall during the formation lap. Max Verstappen pulled away and led the grid around an increasingly wet circuit, with tyre strategy playing a crucial role in the race. Fernando Alonso finished second and took the fastest lap point.
Stay tuned for more Formula 1 news, updates, and analysis as the 2024 season heats up. Don’t miss the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, 25 August 2024, and keep an eye on the Formula 1 standings, Formula 1 schedule, and Formula 1 tyres to stay ahead of the game.
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