The skies were grey but not a single drop of rain fell on the drivers and teams at the Zandvoort circuit on the Thursday of the first Dutch Grand Prix since the last time it was held way back in 1985. The two Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were the first to meet the media in the FIA press conference.
Neither driver was even born in 1985 when Niki Lauda won the last Formula 1 race held at this circuit alongside the North Sea shoreline, but Carlos and Charles have both previously raced at this short and spectacular track:
“It’s very difficult to talk about performance when I haven’t even done a lap of the track on foot. But I think the track characteristics should suit our car well. I’m expecting an interesting weekend, but let’s wait and see how it goes once we are on track. The parabolic corners? Especially at turn 3, there could be more than one line and that could open up some unexpected scenarios. The Zandvoort circuit is fast and narrow, which is unforgiving if you make a mistake, with the barriers always being very close. To sum it up, it’s a cocktail and as someone who likes street circuits a lot, I definitely appreciate it.”
Tomorrow, the first free practice session starts at 11.30 local time, followed at 15.00 by the second session at the Zandvoort circuit. The final hour of free practice takes place on Saturday at 12, in preparation for qualifying at 15, while the 31st Dutch Grand Prix to count towards the Formula 1 World Championship starts on Sunday at the same time.
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