The Formula 1 summer break is over. While younger fans may have delighted in photos of their favorite drivers on vacation, the only question that really matters is this: how will the hierarchy evolve for the second part of the 2025 championship?
The McLaren show before the holidays
Before looking ahead, a quick look back is necessary. The last Grands Prix before the break can be summed up in three words: the McLaren show. The Woking-based team indeed won the last four consecutive races: Lando Norris in Austria and Great Britain, Oscar Piastri in Belgium, and Norris again in Hungary. You have to go back to the Canadian Grand Prix in June to find another winner, namely George Russell for Mercedes.
An overwhelming dominance
This year, only three non-McLaren drivers have won: Russell in Montreal and Max Verstappen in Japan and Emilia-Romagna. Will Verstappen or someone else manage to break this streak at Zandvoort this weekend? The answer is probably no. From a performance standpoint, McLaren is operating on a different planet from the rest of the grid. The team has not only benefited from good moves, but above all, it has learned to maximize its advantage.
Updates and hope
Rival teams try to react
Despite the mandatory summer shutdown, several teams arrive in the Netherlands with minor updates and tons of hope. Red Bull, for example, is reportedly bringing a new front wing with extended chords, specifically adapted to the Dutch track according to Planet F1. Alpine has also fitted its car with a new rear end, with new fairings and winglets to improve brake cooling and turbulent air management.
Finally, Sauber is unveiling new components, including a new rear brake duct vane, which is supposed to improve airflow around the rear wheels and the diffuser.
A promising start to the weekend for McLaren
Another sign, perhaps unexpected, suggests a continuation of McLaren’s dominance: the reliability of its drivers. Unlike many of their competitors, Norris and Piastri managed to keep their cars on the asphalt during the free practice sessions. Lewis Hamilton had two spins in FP1, while Verstappen ended his lap in the gravel on the outside of turn 1. FP2 wasn’t much better, punctuated by two red flags caused by Alex Albon (Williams) and a heavy crash by Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
With Norris setting the pace in both practice sessions and Piastri consistently in the top 3, it’s hard to imagine a different scenario for the rest of the season. While the end of Red Bull’s hegemony delights many, one can only hope for an exciting second half of the championship, regardless of which team or driver comes out on top.