Formula 1 is still on the traditional European summer break, which started after the Hungarian GP, but the wait is almost over: the 2026 season returns next weekend, from August 21 to 23, with the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
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The break began after an intense first half of the championship. There were 11 rounds contested before the break, with the Belgian and Hungarian GPs held on consecutive weekends before the holidays. Since then, drivers, teams, and category professionals have been enjoying the mandatory pause period before the competition resumes.
The season went into the break with Kimi Antonelli as the main name in the championship. The Mercedes driver is in great form and won the Belgian GP after overtaking Charles Leclerc in the final part of the race at Spa-Francorchamps. Max Verstappen completed the podium on that occasion, while Gabriel Bortoleto finished eighth and scored points again for Audi.
Now, attention begins to turn to the Netherlands. The Zandvoort round will open the second part of the season and start the stretch that will lead drivers and teams to the 2026 title decisions.
The Dutch circuit offers a very particular challenge. With a narrow track, elevation changes, and banked corners that have become one of Zandvoort’s main features, the layout demands precision and confidence from the drivers. Overtaking opportunities are also limited, increasing the importance of qualifying and race strategy.
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The Dutch GP will be held over a conventional weekend. Activities start on Friday, August 21, with the first two free practice sessions. On Saturday, the 22nd, FP3 and qualifying take place, while the race will be held on Sunday, August 23.
The round will mark Formula 1’s return after almost a month without races and will be the first opportunity to assess how drivers and teams arrive at the second part of a season marked by the new generation of cars and the increasingly important battle for every point.
Therefore, it will be the last Sunday without F1 before the return. The category returns between August 21 and 23, with the Dutch GP in Zandvoort.
F1Mania.net follows all the news during the last days of the summer break and will have full coverage of the Dutch GP, from free practice sessions to the race that marks the resumption of the 2026 season.
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