Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix and the fifth sprint weekend of the 2026 season. Kimi Antonelli leads the world championship standings by 50 points and secured a podium last time out in Hungary. His nearest challenger is Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Mercedes teammate George Russell is a further five points off the pace. Lando Norris claimed his and McLaren’s first victory of the season in Budapest and the reigning world champions will be looking to continue their decent form after the three-week summer recess. Yet this year’s event at Zandvoort will be the last at the old-school circuit, with the Dutch GP’s contract not being renewed with F1 beyond 2026. It gives Max Verstappen, who signed a new contract this week, one last opportunity to add to his three wins in front of his adoring orange-clad supporters. Follow live coverage of the Dutch Grand Prix with The IndependentKimi Antonelli quickest early onAround half the drivers have set a timed lap so far, with Antonelli fastest with a 1:18:264 - a full two seconds quicker than Oscar Piastri in second. That’ll be the dry-wet disparity... otherwise Mercedes have one hell of an early lead!(Getty)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:40Nico Hulkenberg on team radio:“Pretty dry, ready for slicks.” All the cars which have left the pit-lane are on intermediates for now but, as the Hulk says, it’s pretty dry now. Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:34FP1 underwayIt’s blustery but boisterous on the North Sea coast as we get underway with first practice at Zandvoort. Just one hour for the 22 drivers to get up to speed ahead of sprint qualifying this afternoon. Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:30F1 returns in ZandvoortOvercast conditions as F1 returns today - and just one practice for the drivers to get up to speed again!(Getty)(Getty)(Getty)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:28What does the second-half of the season look like?ROUND 12 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August ROUND 13 - ITALY Monza Circuit - 4-6 September ROUND 14 - SPAIN (Madrid) Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September ROUND 15 - AZERBAIJAN Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September ROUND 16 - MALAYSIA/BAHRAIN Sepang International Circuit - 2-4 OctoberROUND 17 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October ROUND 18 - UNITED STATES Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October ROUND 19 - MEXICO Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November ROUND 20 - BRAZIL Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November ROUND 21 - LAS VEGAS Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November ROUND 22 - QATAR Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November ROUND 23 - ABU DHABI Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:25Constructor standings ahead of Dutch GP1. Mercedes - 379 points 2. Ferrari - 307 points 3. McLaren - 220 points 4. Red Bull - 177 points 5. Racing Bulls - 66 points 6. Alpine - 61 points7. Haas - 21 points 8. Audi - 12 points 9. Williams - 11 points 10. Aston Martin - 1 point11. Cadillac - 0 points Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:22What has Verstappen said about his new deal?“I was closer to retiring than changing teams,” Verstappen said. “I like it here. I think it would be a great story if that were possible, being picked up by Red Bull and finishing your career with one team.“I don't feel the need to change just to change… after the first few races [this season], I said to Laurent, 'Don't come to me with any kind of questions about the future because I didn't even know if I want to stay’.“But honestly, we always kept it very open. I love racing, and I had a lot of very good discussions with F1, but also with the FIA. We are slowly working towards something that becomes better and better.”(Getty)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:18Max Verstappen, a record-breaking Red Bull stay and a show of faith in Formula 1In the space of six months, it has been some turnaround. The first time Max Verstappen drove the much-maligned, energy-dependent breed of 2026 Formula 1 car at February testing in Bahrain, his response was apoplectic. “Anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids” were two such protestations. Six weeks on, after round three at one of Formula 1’s staple high-speed circuits, Suzuka in Japan, the Dutchman’s disgruntlement had reached boiling point. Quitting the sport seemed a real eventuality.Full piece below: Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:15Top-10 in the driver standingsKimi Antonelli has a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 219 points 2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 169 points 3. George Russell (Mercedes) - 160 points 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 138 points 5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 128 points 6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 109 points 7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 92 points8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 68 points 9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 43 points 10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 pointsKieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:10Start times in Zandvoort this weekend:Time BSTFriday 21 August Free practice 1: 11:30amSprint qualifying: 3:30pm Saturday 22 AugustSprint race: 11amQualifying: 3pmSunday 23 AugustRace: 2pm Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 11:06