The roar of engines returns to Zandvoort this weekend, and the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is already shaping up to be a wild ride. After a long summer break, Formula 1 fires back to life with Free Practice 1 on Friday, August 21, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Teen sensation Kimi Antonelli is the man to beat, sitting 50 points clear of Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship. His Mercedes teammate George Russell trails by 59, but the real 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶? This could be the last Dutch GP at Zandvoort for a while, and Max Verstappen is ready to party with his orange army after inking a fresh Red Bull contract.
All eyes will be on Aston Martin, though. They’re rolling out the first major upgrade to their Honda power unit, and sources claim its performance may decide whether two-time champ Fernando Alonso stays in the sport. The pressure is on.
This is a Sprint weekend, so there’s only one practice session. FP1 kicks off at 12:30 local time (CEST) on Friday. For US fans, that’s 6:30 AM Eastern, 5:30 AM Central, and 3:30 AM Pacific.
And here’s the sweet part: Viaplay is offering all sessions free to air across the weekend, while Apple TV has a seven-day free trial for American viewers. No excuses.
Catch the action on Sky Sports and Channel 4 in the UK, Apple TV in the US, or a host of other broadcasters worldwide. Whether you’re in Australia, Japan, Brazil, or the Middle East, there’s a way to watch.
With a title fight heating up, a home hero back in the spotlight, and a potential make-or-break moment for a legend, what will Friday’s practice reveal about the rest of the season?
