Verstappen can give his home Dutch race a sendoff to celebrate

Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion for Red Bull, has the chance to mark his home Dutch Grand Prix with a memorable finish this weekend by becoming the sixth different winner in six races. The Zandvoort circuit, a beloved seaside track, will be missing from the calendar due to this year's absence, making a victory on Sunday a poignant occasion for Verstappen and his orange-shirted fans.

Throughout the season, Verstappen has shown his prowess with two second-place finishes, including Hungary, and has consistently been on the podium - three wins and two second places since the circuit returned to the championship in 2021. Additionally, Verstappen has led 200 of the 360 F1 laps at Zandvoort over his career and has three pole positions.

The Dutch driver expressed his gratitude for the numerous good memories he has had at Zandvoort and looked forward to racing in front of his home crowd for the first time in years. With his special Delft blue tribute helmet, Verstappen will be joined by new teammate Liam Lawson, replacing Isack Hadjar, who was out due to a wrist injury.

This change means a comeback for Japan's Yuki Tsunoda, who takes over for the Kiwi. As the season progresses, Verstappen and McLaren's Oscar Piastri are the favorites to continue the streak of different winners each weekend. Verstappen has become known as the king of the sprints and stands sixth in the standings, while Piastri is seventh.

Both champions McLaren and current champion Lando Norris have won Dutch Grands Prix in the past two years, aiming for a hat-trick with a new upgrade package introduced in Hungary. Mercedes, led by team boss Toto Wolff, has not won at Zandvoort since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955. They aim to rectify this at the fifth of six sprint weekends this season, acknowledging that they have left points on the table and face increased challenges in the second half of the year.

Aston Martin, returning to competitiveness with an upgraded engine from Honda, and newcomers Cadillac, seeking their first point in their debut season, will also be closely watched.