For fans of the sport it may have felt like an eternity, but the mandatory break is over and the Formula One™ World Championship is back this weekend in North Holland for the penultimate race at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future.
The second half of the season will commence at Zandvoort, known for its fast banked corners, winding course and complex sequences of turns. The track, built in 1948 has been used for the Formula One™ World Championship on and off since seeing out the end of its current contract at the end of next season.
Trak Facts:
- First Grand Prix – 1952
- Lap record – 1m 11.097s, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2021
- Most pole positions – Rene Arnoux/Max Verstappen (3)
- Most wins – Jim Clark (4)
- Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 199 metres
- Safety Car probability – 67%
- Virtual Safety Car probability – 67%
- Pit stop time loss – 21.52 seconds
Gasly Reminisces through his preparation
The track was the scene of Gasly’s first podium with the team, so he comes into the race refreshed and looking forward to tackling the 4.259km circuit.
“I have special memories of my race there in 2023 which was my first podium with the team, and I've gone well at the circuit throughout my career, scoring points last year too. We're aiming for a promising result this weekend which we can use to kick-start the final leg of the season. I'm ready to get back racing, let's go.”
Summer Rest has refreshed the Drivers
Both drivers suggested the break has done them a lot of good;
“I've really loved having some time to relax during the summer break. I spent time with my family and friends – and dog – in Portugal and I was able to switch off and enjoy myself. The break was very much needed as it has been a really busy and challenging season so far." - Pierre Gasly
“I had a fantastic time over the summer break. I was able to spend some quality time with family and friends, enjoying the weather in the Mediterranean. I also focused a lot on my training and fitness and I am ready to get back out on track to kick off the second half of the season." - Franco Colapinto
Frano is Ready to get back on Track
After the long break, Franco is looking forward to starting the season back at Zandvoort, a track he has raced many times throughout his early single seater career.
It also marks the one-year anniversary of his debut in the Formula One Championship:
“This weekend also marks one year since my Formula One debut so that is quite special. It has been a rollercoaster time since then, so many highs, some lows but all for the better in my development.”
What to look for at Zandvoort:
Weather -
Much like Gasly’s maiden podium for the BWT Alpine Formula One™ Team in 2023, Zandvoort’s weather is looking like a potential wet race, throwing the traditional car advantages away.
Overtaking -
In 2023, Zandvoort saw 187 overtakes throughout the 306km race, the most in Formula One Championship history. If 2023’s race is anything to go by, we could see a fair few overtakes by the end of Sunday.
Tyre Strategy -
Banked curves and winding curves will be hard on tyres, so making sure teams are prepared; especially with a potential wet/dry race will make strategy a hard one to predict.
Trak Racer x BWT Alpine Formula One™ Team
Trak Racer proudly supports the BWT Alpine Formula One™ Team's efforts throughout the Formula 1 season. The TRX cockpit combines Trak Racer’s sim-racing experience with the expertise of the BWT Alpine Formula One™ Team’s engineers. As the only Formula One™ team-approved simulator cockpit, the TRX brings fans closer to the action than ever before.
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