Formula 1 is back this weekend after the summer break, but the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will see a late change from the FIA – along with a warning about severe weather.
With the season heating up between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, fans have been eager for more excitement after recent races were criticised for being too predictable. To shake things up, the FIA has adjusted the pit lane speed limit for this race.
Normally capped at 60 km/h (37 mph) for safety reasons, the limit at Zandvoort will be raised to 80 km/h (50 mph). The governing body believes this could encourage teams to try different strategies, as quicker pit stops might make two-stop races more appealing instead of the usual one-stop approach.
However, the change comes just as the Dutch national weather service (KNMI) has issued a code yellow thunderstorm warning. Heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and sudden storms are possible across the weekend. Qualifying on Saturday is expected to have the best conditions, but fans heading to the track have been told to prepare for everything from sunshine to downpours.
Despite the forecast, the race will go ahead as planned. Championship leader Oscar Piastri is tipped as the favourite, while Norris – last year’s winner at Zandvoort – will be looking to repeat his success.
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