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 IndependentPinnedSprint qualifying is at 3:30pm (BST) at Zandvoort. (Getty)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 12:39Sprint qualifying in ZandvoortTime for the fifth sprint qualifying of the season as we spring back into competitive action on F1’s summer return! Having gone quickest in FP1, championship leader Kimi Antonelli is the favourite but Mercedes teammate George Russell will also fancy his chances, as will Ferrari and McLaren. (PA)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 15:21George Russell says his Mercedes seat "never felt under threat" from Max Verstappen Russell said: "It's only really a topic for us when we're sat in front of you guys in the press and you want to ask these questions and understand what's going on."That's just the nature of the sport. Drivers talk with different teams, teams talk with different drivers. Everyone has to just see what their cards are."But my seat never felt under threat, and I felt 100 per cent secure with Toto and the team, and that obviously now continues."George Russell (PA Wire)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 15:16Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 15:10What 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 15:02Max 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 14:55What 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 14:45Constructor standings ahead of Dutch GP1. Mercedes - 379 points2. Ferrari - 307 points3. McLaren - 220 points4. Red Bull - 177 points5. Racing Bulls - 66 points6. Alpine - 61 points7. Haas - 21 points8. Audi - 12 points9. Williams - 11 points10. Aston Martin - 1 point11. Cadillac - 0 pointsKieran Jackson21 August 2026 14:30Official F1 weather for todayConditions: The weather is expected to be mild, with temperatures ranging from 16.5C to 19C, and a track temperature peaking at 30.1C. There’s a 60% chance of rain, so light precipitation is favoured, but conditions should mostly remain dry. Winds will be moderate, averaging around 15.8 kph with gusts up to 32.4 kph. Overall, it should be a good day for racing with relatively stable weather expected.Maximum temperature expected: 19 CelsiusMinimum temperature expected: 16.5 CelsiusChance of rain: 60%(Getty)Kieran Jackson21 August 2026 14:15Top-10 in the driver standingsKimi Antonelli has a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton.1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 219 points2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 169 points3. George Russell (Mercedes) - 160 points4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 138 points5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 128 points6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 109 points7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 92 points8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 68 points9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 43 points10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 pointsKieran Jackson21 August 2026 14:00