After three weekends with out Method 1 throughout which the ten groups shut their manufacturing facility doorways, set their telephones to ‘don’t disturb’ and loved some well-earned relaxation, the second leg of the 2023 season kicks into motion with this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Whereas it’s unlikely that anybody will out of the blue catch as much as Crimson Bull, there may very well be some notable adjustments as F1 makes its return. Listed below are the speaking factors for the Dutch GP.
Will Verstappen match Vettel?
Max Verstappen is at present in the course of not solely the longest successful streak of his F1 profession but in addition one of many longest in F1 historical past. Along with his win on the Belgian Grand Prix simply earlier than the break, the reigning world champion claimed has now gone unbeaten for eight grands prix.
That signifies that the Crimson Bull driver has achieved one thing just one different F1 driver has ever executed earlier than and overwhelmed the most effective runs of Michael Schumacher, Alberto Ascari and even Nico Rosberg.
If Verstappen can pull off a a house victory at Zandvoort this weekend for the third consecutive season, he’ll formally match Sebastian Vettel’s all-time report of 9 wins in a row, achieved throughout his romp to the world championship title in 2013.
If he does – and who would guess in opposition to him given the shape he’s proven this season to this point – then Verstappen can have a chance to set a brand new F1 report the subsequent weekend on the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. It could be simply one other step because the two-times world champion continues his unabated march in direction of title quantity three.
Can Ferrari prolong their run of kind?
As Crimson Bull have dominated the opening half of the 2023 season to this point, successful each single grand prix and dash race as well, the struggle straight behind them has been unpredictable.
On the very begin of the 12 months, it was Aston Martin who held the honour of being ‘better of the remainder’, with Fernando Alonso ending behind the Crimson Bulls in third place at each of the opening two rounds after which taking 4 extra podium appearances over the primary eight rounds. However because the season has progressed, the competitors has develop into more and more intense.
Mercedes, Ferrari and even McLaren have every had moments over the primary half of the 12 months the place that they had the second-fastest package deal on the grid. But it surely was Ferrari who held that place on the final spherical at Spa-Francorchamps, with Charles Leclerc taking the ultimate step on the rostrum behind Verstappen and Sergio Perez – albeit half a minute behind the winner.
There’s no motive to counsel that the competitors behind Crimson Bull gained’t stay as tight because it has been to date. The order has modified relying on circuits, circumstances and which groups have introduced upgrades to the varied rounds. Ferrari and their followers can be hoping that their rivals haven’t caught them standing nonetheless over the break.
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A brand new chapter for Alpine
Though it was introduced on the primary day of operating on the Belgian GP, Otmar Szafnauer’s tenure as workforce principal of Alpine formally got here to an finish over the break.
After becoming a member of the workforce from Aston Martin earlier than the 2022 season, Szafnauer had success in his first 12 months because the workforce completed a strong fourth place within the constructors’ championship behind the large three of Crimson Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes and, crucially, forward of McLaren.
However in 2023, Alpine’s efficiency has remained comparatively stagnant as McLaren has catapulted themselves into the battle behind Crimson Bull. With a brand new CEO on the helm of Alpine, each Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane – a long-time workforce stalwart – have departed their positions, signalling the beginning of a complete new chapter for the workforce with Bruno Famin stepping in as interim workforce principal.
With Alpine’s F1 workforce receiving main funding not too long ago from a gaggle together with Wrexham FC’s Hollywood homeowners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the workforce seems to be in the beginning of one more new cycle because it hopes to return to championship-winning methods within the 12 months forward. However will this newest part be extra profitable than the final?
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What’s holding up Hamilton’s contract?
The summer time break has historically been a helpful time for groups to barter contract extensions with the drivers they wish to hold round for coming seasons.
At Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton‘s contract is expiring on the finish of this season and there’s no query of whether or not the seven-time champion desires to stay with the workforce he’s referred to as house for the final decade – or any doubt Mercedes wish to hold essentially the most profitable F1 driver of all time of their storage.
And but, regardless of workforce principal Toto Wolff insisting that securing an extension with Hamilton is just a matter of checking out minor particulars, there’s not been any affirmation of a deal reached as of but. The additional in direction of the top of the season each Mercedes and Hamilton go, the stronger the focus will develop into and the extra questions each workforce and driver will inevitably face over what the obvious maintain up will be.
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Rookie operating
Final 12 months, the FIA launched a brand new rule into the sporting rules that compelled each workforce on the grid to run so referred to as ‘younger drivers’ in Friday first follow periods no less than as soon as for each of their automobiles in the course of the season. The thought was to supply upcoming drivers the chance to check present automobiles in consultant circumstances, slightly than merely operating outdated equipment in non-public assessments.
However in contrast to final season, when many groups had run a younger driver in no less than one in all their automobiles by the summer time break, there have been no appearances seen within the season to this point by any driver who meets the standards of getting participated in fewer than two grands prix.
Technically, nevertheless, McLaren, Williams and AlphaTauri have all glad one in all their two necessities as a result of truth they’ve every fielded rookie drivers this season – with the opening follow session of the season in Bahrain counting for one in all their two cases. Meaning whereas these three groups solely have to suit a younger driver into their automobiles in Lando Norris, Alexander Albon and Yuki Tsunoda’s automobiles, the opposite seven groups have to take action for each of their automobiles.
It’s anticipated that we’ll see the primary of these ‘younger drivers’ collaborating this weekend at Zandvoort. However with three dash rounds and a model new circuit in Las Vegas over the ultimate ten rounds of the season, there are solely restricted alternatives for groups to realistically match their periods in over the remainder of the season.
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Are you going to the Dutch Grand Prix?
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2023 Dutch Grand Prix
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