F1 is back from the summer break and heading to Zandvoort for what will be the final Dutch Grand Prix in the foreseeable future. The circuit's contract with Formula 1 expires after this weekend's race on August 21 to 23, ending a run that only started in 2021 when Max Verstappen's dominance helped bring the Dutch GP back to the calendar. To make it a proper send-off, F1 has thrown in something special, Sprint format at Zandvoort for the very first time.

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It's bittersweet timing really. Max Verstappen heads home without a Grand Prix or Sprint win so far this season, and he'll be trying to add to his impressive record of 13 Sprint victories. But the Red Bull ace faces stiff competition this weekend. McLaren's Lando Norris just won Hungary and will bring a new rear wing upgrade to Zandvoort, while Ferrari's also arriving with fresh firepower in the form of a floor upgrade. With upgrades being rolled out across the grid, this could be wide open.

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The schedule's packed tight with the Sprint format squeezed in. Friday sees opening practice and Sprint qualifying, Saturday brings the actual Sprint race followed by qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix, and then the main event concludes the weekend. UK fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1, with free highlights available on Sky Sports' YouTube channel and Channel 4 coverage on both Saturday and Sunday.

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Weather could play a role in proceedings too. Forecasters are predicting much cooler conditions than Europe's been experiencing, and there's a real possibility of rain and even thunderstorms hitting the track on Friday. That could throw a spanner in the works for teams trying to maximize their running, especially with qualifying potentially affected. It's shaping up to be a fitting finale for Zandvoort, mixing unpredictability with nostalgia as the venue waves goodbye to F1 after this weekend.

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