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Zandvoort’a first sprint race is also likely to be its last as the track does not have a contract to hold another round of the world championship. The race was a processional affair, which reader @Sham says showed the format’s shortcomings:
When a grand prix is processional, you can very often get a little tension from the slow build, from the strategy, from the way different cars and drivers use their tyres, from the way the track evolves, and all of the things that make Grand Prix racing great, and has done for decades.
With the sprint, you get nothing. At all. Nada.
The teams don’t even hide the fact that they use it as a practice session to fine tune the car any more.
Two out of 10 from me, only not a one because Leclerc chose soft tyres.
@Sham
Join the original discussion here:
Rate the Race: 2026 Dutch Grand Prix sprint race
Formula 1
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