24/08/2025 10:10
The summer break is winding down as F1 is on course to return at
the Zandvoort circuit for the Dutch Grand Prix next weekend. Due
to the mandatory closure of the factories, major updates are
unlikely to be introduced across the grid. The characteristics of
the narrow and twisting Zandvoort circuit also play a role in this,
as there is a good chance that the setups from the two previous
races in Austria and Hungary will be deployed again. The Red Bull
Ring in Austria is characterised by a medium to high level of
downforce, while the Hungaroring has a high level of downforce. The
set-up for Zandvoort will be something of a mix between the two.
Ferrari will reportedly use a specific combination of these two
configurations. By doing so, the team is not only trying to
generate downforce through the wings, but more importantly, to
achieve a precise dynamic balance, with specific attention to
certain parts of the Dutch track that are considered key points to
unlock the performance of the SF-25. It could be concluded that the
emphasis on vehicle dynamics is the logical consequence of what we
saw during the race in Hungary. By this, we mean the adoption of
higher tyre pressures in the last stint of the race in Budapest
actually highlighted how, despite the introduction of the new rear
suspension at the Belgian Grand Prix, a setup that was valid for
the entire duration of the race in containing the risks of
excessive plank wear had not been well thought out. A thorough
analysis of what happened that weekend seems to have been carried
out and the resulting countermeasures are set to be deployed at
Zandvoort to avoid negating the effectiveness of the new suspension
on a dynamic level. Another team that underperformed in Hungary was
Red Bull. The causes were different from those of Ferrari, but they
bore some resemblance, as they were related to the balance of the
RB21. In the Netherlands, the Milton Keynes-based team will
introduce small elements related to the distribution of the
aerodynamic load. The aim is to reduce the car's understeer
compared to the previous races, and thus be more agile around the
Zandvoort circuit at Max Verstappen's home race.
