Three weeks after the chequered flag fell in Budapest, Formula 1 is set to return this weekend as the paddock regroups at Zandvoort in the Netherlands to launch the decisive 10-race run to the end of the season.
Teams and drivers have had a chance to reset during the mandatory two-week shutdown in August, but with the summer break now behind them, the focus shifts firmly back to the track – a championship fight that remains finely poised – and the outlook for next year.
Battle back on track
McLaren’s dominance has defined 2025 so far, but it has also set up the year’s most compelling storyline – the intra-team battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Piastri is arriving in the Netherlands with a nine-point lead and the distinction of being the only driver to score at every race this season, notching up six victories.
Meanwhile, Norris has won three of the last four races to slash what was once a 22-point gap, and will be surging into the back half of the season in full form.
Their contrasting personalities add intrigue to the contest.
Piastri has earned a reputation for calm, mistake-free consistency, while Norris has been candid about his struggles with self-criticism and pressure.
Both are widely admired for their speed, and with 10 rounds to go, the smallest margins could prove decisive.
Zandvoort itself offers an early litmus test – Norris dominated here last year, but Piastri’s growth in his third season has been marked.
Four-Way Fight at the Front
While McLaren has led the way, they are not unchallenged.
Ferrari showed signs of resurgence with Charles Leclerc’s pole in Hungary, Mercedes returned to winning ways through George Russell in Montreal, and Max Verstappen has reminded rivals of his threat with a pair of victories and a sprint win despite recent struggles.
That mix means there are realistically four teams capable of winning races across the remainder of the calendar.
For Piastri and Norris, that adds an extra layer of pressure – every lost opportunity against another frontrunner could prove costly in the title fight.
At Zandvoort, Verstappen will command passionate home support, though for the first time in years the sea of orange may be cheering more in hope than expectation.
After three straight Dutch GP wins between 2021 and 2023, Verstappen arrives winless in his last four races and facing a McLaren-shaped mountain to climb.
Simmering midfield
Beyond the front, one of the tightest midfield fights in recent memory is brewing.
Williams leads the pack in fifth in the constructors’ standings with 70 points already, nearly matching their combined tally from 2018 to 2024.
Yet, they are only 35 points clear of Haas in ninth, with Aston Martin, Sauber and Racing Bulls all within striking distance.
That closeness has produced frequent shake-ups in the order, and even a podium for Nico Hulkenberg in a chaotic Silverstone race.
With so many teams clustered together, every point could swing the balance as they fight for position, and momentum heading into the upcoming regulation changes in 2026.
Ferrari Reset
Ferrari enter the second half of the season still looking to turn promise into results.
Charles Leclerc provided a reminder of their pace with pole position in Hungary, but reliability issues and missed opportunities have historically hampered their progress.
For Lewis Hamilton, the summer break offered a chance to regroup after a frustrating pair of races in Belgium and Hungary. His move to Maranello has produced flashes of potential, including a sprint win in China, but consistency has been elusive.
Both Hamilton and the team will be eager to find momentum at Zandvoort ahead of Ferrari’s home race at Monza, where expectations will be even higher.
The 2026 Driver Market
Off the track, eyes are already turning to 2026.
Cadillac’s arrival as the 11th team brings two new race seats, which will see Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas returning to the racing grid.
Elsewhere, Mercedes is yet to publicly confirm contract extensions for George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli after a summer that featured headlines about possible Verstappen links.
Alpine and Red Bull’s second team also have places open, keeping young drivers such as Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson firmly in the conversation.
The driver market chatter, combined with the battles on track, promises to keep the second half of the season compelling from every angle.
&uuid=(email))