ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — Max Verstappen is staying in Formula 1, the Dutch Grand Prix is leaving and there’s a long-awaited chance to see how this year’s cars cope in the rain,F1 returns from its mid-season break with a different sort of challenge for the drivers. Persistent rain fell Friday morning as the Dutch Grand Prix gets under way with only a single practice session before heading straight into qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race.It’s set to be the first time the 2026 cars and their formidable electrical power have been tried in the rain as part of a race weekend, outside of a brief spell in January’s preseason shakedown runs.“I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be very exciting,” said Kimi Antonelli, who heads into the second half of the season with a 50-point lead in his push to become F1’s youngest-ever champion. “It’s going be a big challenge for everyone because there’s so much unknown in wet conditions, but it’s a condition that I enjoy.”
Ferrari and McLaren optimistic of chasing down AntonelliThe closest challengers to Antonelli and Mercedes’ dominance are back with reasons to be confident.Lewis Hamilton is second in the standings and returns, he says, the “fittest” he’s ever been after a mid-season break devoted to training rather than partying, and he’s pleased with Ferrari’s innovative approach to developing his car.Lando Norris won the last race before the break in Hungary for McLaren. The Zandvoort track has some similarities to the Hungaroring in its short straights, twisty layout, but the weather couldn’t be more different, and there are far more vocal orange-wearing Dutch fans cheering on Verstappen.
