2026 F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Zandvoort time schedule and Sprint format
Dutch Grand Prix begins the second half of 2026 season
Formula 1 returns to Zandvoort this weekend for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, the 12th round of the season and the opening event of its second half. It will also be the final Dutch Grand Prix at the circuit before Zandvoort leaves the Formula 1 calendar for 2027.
The championship arrives in the Netherlands with Kimi Antonelli holding a 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton. George Russell is third, 59 points behind his Italian team-mate, who has won six of the first 11 races. With the title picture already taking shape, the Zandvoort weekend offers Antonelli an opportunity to extend his lead at a key point in the campaign.
This will be the fifth of six Sprint weekends in 2026, and the first Sprint event to be held at Zandvoort. The condensed format leaves only one free practice session before competitive running begins, placing added importance on how quickly teams and drivers build their weekend programmes.
For a closer look at the circuit’s weekend configuration, see the 2026 Dutch GP track map and Straight Mode zones.
Full 2026 Dutch GP schedule
Friday, August 21
- Free Practice: 12:30 local time
- Sprint Qualifying: 16:30 local time
Friday’s sole practice session is followed by Sprint qualifying later in the afternoon, setting the grid for Saturday’s 24-lap race.
Saturday, August 22
- Sprint: 12:00 local time — 24 laps
- Grand Prix Qualifying: 16:00 local time
The Sprint takes place at midday before attention turns to qualifying for Sunday’s main event. The gap between the two sessions leaves the Sprint as the first competitive test of the weekend before the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix is decided.
Sunday, August 23
- Dutch Grand Prix: 15:00 local time — 72 laps
The 72-lap race starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday. All times listed are local to Zandvoort. Viewers in the United Kingdom should subtract one hour for British Summer Time.
Fans can also add the 2026 F1 schedule to a PC or smartphone calendar through the available F1 calendar download, helping ensure they do not miss any of the season’s remaining sessions.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.