Grand Prix in Zandvoort: title duel, Ferrari frustration: This is important in Formula 1

The fact that world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull races into his fifth Formula 1 title seems almost excluded. Only ten races are still pending this season. Especially at his home game in Zandvoort, the Dutch wants to shine again on Sunday (3:00 p.m./Sky). Record world champion Lewis Hamilton is also to an increase at Ferrari after difficult and often frustrating first months – the World Cup run on the North Sea could be chaotic due to possible rainy weather. These are the most important questions about the summer break:

When does the McLaren duel escalate around the World Cup title?

Leader Oscar Piatri (24) has only nine points ahead of Lando Norris (25), who won three of the four past races. Already in Canada there was a hard duel to touch the two, Norris even left his mistake. And the McLaren pilots can continue to drive freely against each other, there is no (yet) a stable order. Both are about the first World Cup title, and even if they are considered friends, it should be even more heated – to the crash? That should definitely be avoided, but there will be no gifts. “We are also here to prove who the better driver is,” said Norris.

Can Max Verstappen succeed in the turn with Red Bull?

The four -time world champion Max Verstappen (27) has hardly any chances of the successful title defense with 97 points behind Piatri. The Red Bull star has not been able to win for more than three months. Nevertheless, the home race with tens of thousands of compatriots in the stands is not missing. “I want to take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to me,” said the former dominator in Zandvoort. In 2026, the title is to be driven again under a new regulations: “It makes no sense to be frustrated. We have to see how the car works and how we can improve it.”

Is Lewis Hamilton’s frustration ends in Ferrari?

Record world champion Lewis Hamilton (40) no longer feels like answering questions about his Ferrari crisis. In Zandvoort, the Briton seemed noticeably annoyed when he was supposed to talk about his prospects for the rest of the season. “Not much has changed,” said Hamilton. Although he sees a lot of potential in his red racer, he has brought it far too rarely to the asphalt. In his frustration he had already offered to clear the cockpit, but his focus has long been different. “It’s just about focusing on having fun with my work again. I love this sport,” he said.

Does Nico Hülkenberg create even more surprises?

The first podium in his career in Silverstone was the highlight of the season for Nico Hülkenberg (38). Before the Rhinelander will get to the Audi next year and to help the new German workshop with all its experience to start a strong start, he flirts fifth in the design course with the current team Kick. “I want to make the best out of my possibilities, look in the mirror in the evening and say: We didn’t leave anything unturned,” said the ninth of the driver’s ranking: “I want to have fun and get as many points as possible.”

Is Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 career over?

After Formula 1 newcomer Cadillac starts with the veterans Sergio Pérez (35) and Valtteri Bottas (35) in the coming year, Mick Schumacher (26) will remain spectators of the motorsport king class. After two years at the US team Haas, he has been waiting for a new seat since the end of 2022. A comeback is becoming increasingly unlikely for Michael Schumacher’s son. He drives in the long-distance World Cup for alpine. The French are also on the road in Formula 1, but even if the Argentine Franco Colapinto has to clear his cockpit in winter, Schumacher is not in the favorite role. There are currently no other options.