After the Belgian GP controversy, as the results of the Spa-Francorchamps race were decided after only two laps behind the Saftey Car and almost four hours of waiting due to difficult weather conditions, we now head to Zandvoort while keeping an eye out for the weather forcast, which could also play a key role next weekend.
Formula 1 first raced at Zandvoort Circuit back in 1952, a few years after the track was built in the dunes of the Zandvoort holiday resort. It would move on and off the calendar until 1985, before the global situation pushed its long-awaited return to 2021. Track revisions, including dramatic banking, have recently been made to challenge the drivers.
2021 Dutch Grand Prix weather forecast (Weather Info Zandvoort):
From the Formula 1 teams’ point of view, different weather conditions can result in very different races, and Formula 1 teams adapt their strategy accordingly, for example using different tyres in wet conditions, and taking account of cross winds which can cause stability problems at high speeds. It is always well worth checking the weather before any grand prix as it can often throw a curve ball into the mix.
A somewhat cool weekend is expected at the town beside the North Sea. Friday will start off cloudy with occasional outbreaks of sunshine, followed by an increasingly overcast afternoon. Minimum air temperatures of 15C will rise to a modest high of 18C.
The cloud cover will linger into Saturday’s final practice session. Ahead of qualifying conditions will brighten up with some breaks in the clouds appearing in the afternoon. That should mean warmer track surface temperatures as the drivers head out to qualify. Saturday’s ambient temperatures will be similar to Friday, with lows of 13C and highs of 19C.
Race day is set to be the warmest and brightest of the weekend. Sunny skies with just a few clouds will greet teams in the morning, though conditions will be slightly more overcast ahead of the race start time.
At this stage, track conditions on Sunday aren’t expected to be wildly different to what teams encounter on Friday. Race day will be a little warmer, with air temperatures reaching 21C.
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