Race Week Returns: Key Upgrades And Anticipation For The Dutch GP

After a long summer break, we can finally say it: It’s Race Week! Unlike last season, which was fairly predictable, this year’s Formula One season has been anything but. While it initially seemed like Max Verstappen and Red Bull would dominate, Verstappen has only made it to the podium once in the last four races. With his engine quota already exceeded and a ten-place grid penalty taken in Belgium, this could be very concerning for Red Bull.

Despite Red Bull currently leading the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are all still in the hunt for the coveted title. As we look ahead to the next ten races, the big question is whether the upgrades teams are bringing will propel them to the top or hinder their progress. Will the right strategy calls be made for the team as a whole, or will the focus shift to individual drivers? Could weather play a decisive role in any of the upcoming races? Who else will face grid penalties? And perhaps the biggest question of all: What impact will the next three Sprint weekends have?

Mercedes is reintroducing the upgrades they brought to Belgium, which they didn’t end up using during the race. They believe the issues they faced were due to the setup rather than the upgrades themselves. Only time will tell if these changes will deliver the results they were designed to achieve, or if Mercedes will have to pull them again. With upward momentum in the last five races before the break, Mercedes will be eager to continue that trend at Zandvoort this weekend.

Ferrari finds itself in the same position as last year, sitting third as we enter the second half of the season. Unfortunately, the upgrades they brought to Spain failed them, making the updates they’re bringing to Belgium more critical than ever. If Ferrari continues to struggle with development, they could fall further behind in preparations for the 2025 season.

The biggest leap forward this season has come from McLaren. After finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship last year, they are currently in second, just 42 points behind Red Bull. McLaren’s most significant upgrades came during the Miami Grand Prix, leading to Lando Norris securing his first Formula One win. While McLaren still has more upgrades to bring in the second half of the season, it’s unclear whether they’ll debut them in Belgium or continue refining them.

So, what are your predictions for this weekend? Will the enthusiastic Dutch crowd cheer Max Verstappen to his fourth consecutive win at his home race? Can Mercedes maintain the upward momentum they had before the break? Will Lando Norris step up just in time to secure his second win of the season? Can Charles Leclerc contend for pole position with Ferrari’s new upgrades? With so much to look forward to in these final ten races—and five of them taking place over the next four weeks—buckle up, because Formula One is back!