Aerial drone view of Circuit Zandvoort, showing the full Dutch Grand Prix circuit winding through the coastal dunes near the North Sea.

19 August 2026

Dancing in the Dunes.

Rested. Rejuvenated. Ready to go. Audi Revolut F1® Team is back in action this weekend as Formula 1 awakes from its summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix.

Almost a month on from the Hungarian Grand Prix, Formula 1®’s summertime slumber comes to a definite end this weekend as Audi Revolut F1® Team makes its way to the Netherlands. Positive momentum has been building for the team in recent races, having left Silverstone, Spa and Budapest with points in the bag.

As we reach the halfway point of the 2026 season, Round 12 takes the team to the sand dunes of Zandvoort. Located in the seaside tourist town, just 25km west of Amsterdam, this weekend marks F1®’s last visit to a track which first appeared on the calendar in 1952.

Audi Revolut F1® Team the 2026 season so far dynamic shots

Momentum Building

The past three Grand Prix weekends have been fruitful for Audi Revolut F1® Team. In a maiden season which has so far brought plenty of memorable on-track and off-track highs, Gabi recorded the team’s first-ever top eight finish at Silverstone before repeating the result two weeks later in Belgium. In Hungary, Nico brought home his first points of the year with a fine drive to ninth place.

Now sitting eighth in the Constructors’ Championship standings, there are two opportunities to add to the points tally over the Dutch Grand Prix weekend…

Our story so far

Windswept sand dunes beside the North Sea near Circuit Zandvoort, with wooden fencing casting shadows across the sand.

Zandvoort’s Challenges

Coastal dunes and beach near Circuit Zandvoort, with the North Sea stretching towards the horizon beneath a dramatic cloudy sky.

Zandvoort’s old-school charm has stood the test of time despite the track undergoing a major overhaul between the end of its first stint on the calendar in 1985 and its long-awaited return in 2021. While the first half of the track remained largely unchanged, the second half presents a series of new technical challenges for modern day F1® cars.

Elevated view across the main straight and pit lane at Circuit Zandvoort, with grandstands, paddock buildings and the surrounding coastal town.

Much like its earlier iteration, the modern Zandvoort still sees the cars dance through the dunes on the circuit’s undulating surface carved out through its sandy surroundings.

The rollercoaster ride is emphasised by a series of banked turns – most notably at Turn 3, Hungenholtz, which allows drivers to take alternate lines opening the door for bold overtakes, and at the final turn, Arie Luyendyk, which has a massive 32% gradient.

Zandvoort in numbers.

The track already demands plenty from the drivers – but the pressure will be on as soon as the pit lane opens for Free Practice at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. For the first time, Zandvoort will host the Sprint format.

Stability is key at Zandvoort. The circuit’s unique features require aerodynamic consistency. With limited time to prepare the cars for competitive action ahead of Sprint Qualifying on Friday afternoon, every lap will be crucial in understanding the R26’s behaviour through the dunes.

Circuit
Circuit Zandvoort
Location
Zandvoort, Netherlands
Circuit Length
4.259 km
Race distance
306.587 km
Number of laps
72
First Grand Prix
1952
Fastest race lap
1:08.662, Oscar Piastri, 2025
2026 weekend format
Sprint weekend

Zandvoort Folklore

Tarzan

F1® folklore will tell you that Zandvoort’s first corner – Tarzan – is named after a local man who gave up his land for this area of the track to be built. The reluctant allotment owner, known as “Tarzan” due to his large physique, supposedly agreed to hand over the land under the condition that the corner was given his name. The tale has never been verified.

Hugenholtz

The third turn at Zandvoort is named Hugenholtz, after the famous Dutch circuit designer John Hugenholtz. Known for designing circuits like Suzuka, Zolder and Jarama, there is a common misconception that Hugenholtz was responsible for the Zandvoort track – but that is not the case. He was, however, a director of the circuit during F1®’s first tenure at the track.

Slotemaker

Turn 6 – the Slotemakerbocht – is named in honour of Rob Slotemaker, a Dutch driver who lost his life at the track in a touring car race. In the 1950s, Slotemaker founded an anti-skid school for young drivers to improve their skills behind the wheel. It remains in operation at Zandvoort to this day.

In Action in Zandvoort

Zandvoort has played a role on the road to Formula 1 for many drivers. Emma Felbermayr will be representing the Audi Driver Development Programme in the fourth round of the F1® Academy season at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. Emma heads to Zandvoort having tasted victory in the reverse grid race at the last round in Silverstone. This will be F1® Academy’s last race weekend in Europe this season before heading to the United States for the final two events of the year in Austin and Las Vegas. Now with two wins so far in 2026, Emma will be hoping to solidify her second place in the standings and climb closer to the championship leader.

Zandvoort marks the start of a stacked second half of the Formula 1 season, with 12 race weekends scheduled before Audi Revolut F1® Team’s maiden season concludes in early December. With momentum building, it’s full focus ahead.

1 / 0

Allan McNish

"The break gave everyone a chance to recharge ahead of what will be a crucial second half of the season."

Allan McNish

"We know there is still plenty of work ahead, but we are encouraged by the direction we took before the break, and the aim now is to keep building on that over the remainder of the season.

We know the battle for the points position remains close, but we are confident we can be in the mix in Zandvoort and beyond.

Sprint events always bring an extra challenge, because there is less time to get everything up to speed, but we are looking forward to getting back on track and building on the foundations we put in place."

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Nico Hulkenberg

"Scoring points in Budapest was a great way to head into the summer break."

Nico Hulkenberg

"Over the last weeks everyone had a chance to recharge, and now the focus is fully on the second half of the season.

Zandvoort has always been a special race for me. I grew up just across the border and started my motorsport career in the Netherlands, so I've always had a real connection to the country and its people.

It's a classic old-school circuit and the Dutch fans always create an incredible atmosphere. Knowing this will be the final Dutch Grand Prix for the foreseeable future makes it even more special. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off in Budapest and put together another strong weekend."

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Gabriel Bortoleto

"It was nice to get a couple of weeks off to rest and recharge, but now I am looking forward to being back."

Gabriel Bortoleto

"We have been learning more about the car with every race, unlocking more of its potential as we went on, and it's important that we carry that into the second part of the season. Zandvoort is always a good challenge, and Sprint weekends always make things a bit more intense from the start – but that’s how we like it.

The first half of the season finished on an encouraging note, and now the goal is to pick up where we left off."

Zandvoort marks the start

of a stacked second half of the Formula 1® season, with 12 race weekends scheduled before Audi Revolut F1® Team’s maiden season concludes in early December.

With momentum building, it’s full focus ahead.