After Belgium, up next Formula 1 is heading to Holland for what is a truly challenging period after the canonical summer break: Zandvoort, where the host, Max Verstappen, will be greeted by thousands of fans hoping to see him stretch further in the standings. On the other hand, Ferrari will need to give an important response after a disappointing outcome in the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend. The Zandvoort circuit should fit better with the characteristics of the F1-75 car, but the Maranello technicians will have to work to find the answers to the latest disappointing performance.
Behind them, Mercedes is still in limbo, both from the point of view of performance and technical insight, not even aware of the limits, strengths and weaknesses of the W13. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps also provided a distorted image of the midfield, with an unrecognizable McLaren, an AlphaTauri recovering, a Haas reeling at the bottom of the grid. However, Williams and Aston Martin seemed to improve, especially in terms of race pace. Zandvoort will therefore be an interesting test for many.
From Spa to Zandvoort, two (almost) opposite circuits: will the values on track also change?
The track hosting the Dutch Grand Prix is very different from the Belgian one. In the last round, the key feature was to enjoy excellent aerodynamic efficiency, which was then able to support the car in the slow S2 with good downforce. Here, on the other hand, it is the total downforce of the cars that can make the difference. For this reason, Zandvoort will be a very important track for Scuderia Ferrari, which will have to give convincing answers on a track suited to its car.
It will also be interesting to review the RB18 with a high load setup, after the good impressions seen at the Hungaroring in Hungary, where for Mattia Binotto, the RB18 car of Max Verstappen car was the fastest, albeit only slightly. All teams will also be called to further test the possible effects of the Technical Directive 39 / 22.
The Zandvoort circuit consists of 14 corners, mainly medium speed turns, with some slower points and at corners 3 and 14, known for their positive banking and their particular shape. A novelty this year will concern the last corner which, at least during the first free practice session, it will be possible for drivers to tackle with DRS open. In fact, the Federation will conduct tests to verify whether the possibility to use the DRS system early, in addition to not undermining safety, will facilitate overtaking in the race. The circuit requires load and traction as strengths with an asphalt which, as seen last year, offers enough grip without being too harsh on the tires.
The DRS zones remain two, in the only two important straights, and for this reason it is difficult to see the teams adopting compromise choices. Tackling Zandvoort with medium-high or high load is the best choice. Time will be won mainly in corners and through tire management: due to the high energy that is produced over the lap, the tyres are something to look out for.
The fight for the championship is getting more and more difficult, but beyond that, in Maranello there is a desire to challenge their Milton Keynes rivals again. The goal is to prove that Spa-Francorchamps was just a one-off and that, despite the skepticisms, the F1-75 is still competitive. For the first part of the 2022 Formula One season, the car created by Enrico Cardile’s men often proved to be the best on the grid, even without achieving the best possible results. In Zandvoort, Scuderia Ferrari aims to do well and fight for the win again, thanks also to more congenial characteristics to its car. But will it be possible? For now it is not clear.
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How much the Technical Directive has affected Ferrari’s performance will be one of the key topics of the weekend and the Dutch GP will be an opportunity to confirm or deny this suspicion. The RB18 for its part has shown to have improved a lot lately – albeit without any lightened chassis – even when the circuit requires more downforce. Mattia Binotto after SPA talked about the future, specifying how important it is for Ferrari to continue investing in this season. Understanding today’s problems will also help the Scuderia’s future.
There are still seven other teams, which after SPA have seen a drastically changed balance that now needs to be confirmed. Alpine seems to have taken a break from the rest of the group, but Zandvoort does not seem to bode well with its characteristics. Doing well on this track would also mean a lot for the rest of the championship. McLaren went into big trouble despite the good qualifying and will look for redemption here. Positive flashes in the race for Aston Martin and AlphaTauri, while the Ferrari-power teams, Alfa Romeo and Haas, are looking for points after some difficult races.
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