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The summer break is over, and F1 ACADEMY resumes its 2026 campaign at the Circuit Zandvoort on August 21–23. The Dutch venue has consistently delivered drama, while rain is forecast across the weekend. That combination could make every session significant, with conditions potentially adding another variable to the fight for track position and race wins.
For a wider look at the conditions expected at the venue, read our Zandvoort weather forecast.
The weekend begins with the championship’s only Free Practice session on Friday, August 21 at 14:00 local time, with Zandvoort operating on UTC+2.
Qualifying follows early on Saturday, August 22, at 09:20. The session will set the grids before the Reverse Grid Race, which starts at 14:35. The weekend then concludes with the Feature Race at 10:30 on Sunday, August 23. The final race will run for 17 laps around the Circuit Zandvoort.
Global start times for Saturday’s Reverse Grid Race and Sunday’s Feature Race are also available through the official event information.
Every F1 ACADEMY session will be available live on F1 TV, while F1 TV Pro and Premium will be offered in selected locations. Qualifying and both races will also be broadcast live worldwide on the F1 ACADEMY YouTube channel.
The championship’s coverage is broadcast in more than 170 locations around the world. Viewers can check the broadcaster available in their region through the official F1 ACADEMY coverage information.
Fans can track news and behind-the-scenes content through F1 ACADEMY’s official social media channels on Instagram, TikTok and X. The official website will remain the central source for race-weekend and 2026 season information.
Session reports will follow the chequered flag after Free Practice, Qualifying and both races, alongside driver and team personnel reactions and interviews. Live Timing will also be available throughout every session.
Zandvoort has featured in all four F1 ACADEMY seasons, but this weekend will be the final Dutch Grand Prix. In 2023, Hamda Al Qubaisi won twice, while Carrie Schreiner took the reverse-grid Race 2 victory. In 2024, Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin each claimed a win.
Last year brought a home celebration: Nina Gademan won Race 1, followed by Maya Weug in Race 2 on Grand Prix Sunday.
Ciara is a Dublin native, award-winning film producer, podcaster and writer with 20 years of storytelling experience. A lifelong Leinster and Ireland rugby fan, she turned her attention to the grid after moving to Berlin and co-founding Formula Live Pulse. Now, she applies her producer’s brain to Formula 1, navigating the highs of Oscar Piastri’s rise and the unique stress of being an adopted Ferrari fan. She loves talking and talking about F1, if you give her the chance!