A substantial threat of rain for the Dutch Grand Prix will be giving both drivers and teams a rather nasty headache, as current forecasts look set to keep everyone on their toes
Following the summer break, the drivers and teams will be itching to get back out on the track and, for Max Verstappen, there is a chance to tie Sebastian Vettel's 2013 record of nine consecutive race victories in front of his home crowd at Zandvoort.
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Formula 1 returns to the Netherlands this weekend for the third season in a row, but before that, not since 1985.
Former F1 driver Jan Lammers has said that preparations for this year's event are going much more smoothly compared to 2021 and 2022, when security issues, environmental protests and orange flares marred the event.
But how might the weather forecast affect the drivers? Ahead of the weekend, here is the forecast...
Dutch Grand Prix weather forecast
Sunday
While the morning's forecasts had hinted at a wet or damp track to start the race, fans at Zandvoort look like they may be able to keep the umbrellas stowed.
As ever, different forecasters are predicting different levels of moisture in the air, with most still suggesting a 50% chance of some precipitation – and while the sun was shining 30 minutes before the start of the race, teams and race control predict some rain in the early stages.
The morning's F2 race started on a damp track, with predictable chaos, and fans hoping for a dramatic race may have been looking for a similar situation in the afternoon.
Even if Max Verstappen and Red Bull have a pace advantage during the weekend, they will be helpless if their strategy is wrecked by the weather, meaning a weekend of tricky and unpredictable conditions at Zandvoort could provide the ideal tonic for an exciting race.
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