Formula 1 returns at Zandvoort as the Dutch Grand Prix hosts its first sprint weekend

Formula 1 is back in action this weekend at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands, where the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix runs from 21 to 23 August. The race marks the restart of the season after the mid-year break, which is why searches for F1 have picked up sharply across India.

There is an extra twist this year: Zandvoort is using the sprint format for the first time in its history. That means a shorter Saturday race with its own points on offer, alongside the main Sunday Grand Prix. It is the fifth of six sprint weekends on the 2026 calendar, so teams get two competitive sessions instead of one and less practice time to prepare.

The weekend also carries a note of finality. Reports indicate this is the last Dutch Grand Prix under the current promoter agreement, as the organisers chose not to extend beyond 2026. Zandvoort is known for its narrow layout and steeply banked corners, which make overtaking difficult and often reward a strong qualifying lap.