F1 is Back!
After a four-week break, Formula 1 returns in style with the Dutch Grand Prix. With 10 Rounds to go, there are lots still to play for, whether that be records being broken or fights to finish as high up in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships as possible. I know I’m certainly excited!
Haas retain Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen for 2024!
Some Breaking News which caught me by surprise came out this morning as Haas announced that they are retaining their current line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen for another season. The reason why this surprised me is because whilst I very much believe that The Hulk deserves to stay on the grid, I’m not sure I feel the same way about K-Mag. However, with the pressure off, Magnussen should be able to relax a bit more which hopefully for him and Haas, will bring out better performances going forward. That may well start this weekend in Zandvoort.
Can Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin Return to the Podium?
To say that Aston Martin’s first half of the 2023 Season has been great would be an understatement. Aston currently sit 3rd in the Constructors’ Championship and they’ve achieved 6 Podiums in the first 12 races of the Season which is even more crazy when you consider that they were 9th at this point in the Championship last year. However, it is fair to say that their pace has dropped off in recent races, with their highest finish in the last 4 races being “only” P5 (Lance Stroll did finish 4th in the Austrian Sprint). It’s important that Aston are able to re-find their form as they’re only 5 points ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Standings, but I believe they can do it (whether it’s belief or actually hope I don’t know).
Alfa Romeo need to start scoring some Points
It’s fair to say that it hasn’t been the best of seasons so far for Alfa Romeo, who sit 9th in the Constructors’ Championship with just 9 points. Alfa’s last points finish came in Canada where Valtteri Bottas came home in 10th and funnily enough, that’s the last time I said Alfa Romeo (or specifically Valtteri Bottas) needed to do better. Since then, Alfa Romeo have loved to finish 12th (they've done it in all 4 races since) which isn’t bad, but it also isn’t going to score them any points which at the end of the day, is the most important thing in this sport, especially for a team like Alfa Romeo. The only positive for Alfa Romeo is they’re only 2 points behind 7th-placed Williams.
Can Max Verstappen Make History at Home?
Max Verstappen has been without a doubt the star of 2023. The 2-time back-to-back World Champion currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by 125pts and his lowest finish this season is P2 (P3 in the Sprint though)! More importantly, though, Max has won each of the last 8 races and has the opportunity this weekend (in his home race at Zandvoort) to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record for the most consecutive Formula 1 Race Victories. Seb Vettel achieved this in 2013 with Red Bull so that makes this occasion feel a little bit more special (and also interesting).
My Predictions for Zandvoort Qualifying
Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton
George Russell
Sergio Perez
Carlos Sainz
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