5 BOLD Predictions for the F1 Dutch Grand Prix

Finally! For what seemed like an eternity, Formula One is back in full swing for Round 15 in the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix. After an electric qualifying that set records, all is to play for on Sunday, where the Championship contenders will fight once more.

Now, before we get into my predictions, here is a look at how the grid will line up for Sunday's Grand Prix (Updated: 8:45am EST):

1. Oscar Piastri

2. Lando Norris

3. Max Verstappen

4. Isack Hadjar

5. Geroge Russell

6. Charles Leclerc

7. Lewis Hamilton

8. Liam Lawson

9. Carlos Sainz

10. Fernando Alonso

11. Kimi Antonelli

12. Yuki Tsunoda

13. Gabriel Bortoleto

14. Pierre Gasly

15. Alex Albon

16. Franco Colapinto

17. Nico Hulkenberg

18. Esteban Ocon

19. Lance Stroll

Pit Lane: Oliver Bearman

VCARB will Jump to 6th in the Constructors' Championship

VCARB has looked fantastic all weekend long thus far, which I do not see slowing down for the race. Both Hadjar and Lawson have shown incredible pace in qualifying, which makes me a strong believer that, especially with teams like Williams, Aston Martin, and Sauber struggling, this weekend could be a major turning point in the season.

VCARB is currently in 8th with 45 points, but is just seven points behind Aston Martin, who sits in 6th at 52 points. If Hadjar and Lawson can maintain their positioning, they should have no problem overtaking Aston Martin in the standings. I can even see a world where VCARB can get within single-digit points of Williams, who sits in 5th with 70 points.

If VCARB wants to change the scope of the game for the rest of the season, this is the weekend to do it. With Hadjar and Lawson's pace evident around Zandvoort, I think they can get it done come Sunday.

Williams, Sauber, and Aston Martin will Score Single Digit Point Combined

I just do not see either Aston Martin, Sauber, or Williams making up any significant ground. Although Aston Martin and Williams looked quick during practice, all four drivers fumbled a chance at a high starting position.

With only two drivers from each of these three teams starting in the top ten, I feel that the rest of the drivers behind will struggle. With this track being so difficult to overtake due to its narrow layout and minimal room for error, the front-runners will defend against the rest of the grid fairly easily regarding wheel-to-wheel racing.

Lewis Hamilton will Finish in the Top-5

I have a feeling this will finally be Lewis's weekend. He has looked better in terms of overall pace thus far and is starting 7th, which could be worse considering his recent form.

Securing a top-5 finish will not be easy in the slightest, especially with Ferrari's strategy calls being so inconsistent, but a lot can happen at a track like Zandvoort. With the room for error next to none, all Hamilton needs to do is take advantage of one slip-up from a driver in front, whether on-track or in the pit lane.

If Hamilton is aggressive and goes for it in the early laps, it may end up working out to his benefit. He just needs one move or one stint to gain his confidence back. I think that happens this weekend, securing Hamilton a place in the top five and possibly higher.

There will be at least Five DNF's During the Race

It has been a while since we have seen at least five cars DNF. You would have to look all the way back to the very first race of the season in Australia to find a race in which at least five drivers classified as a DNF. However, if any track can provide this sort of result, it's Zandvoort.

As I have stated previously, the margin for error at Zandvoort is very minimal. We have already seen the consequences of just the slightest errors, with drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Lance Stroll all either spinning out or crashing during the weekend.

Thus, with the stakes higher than they have been all season long, every driver will want to come back from the summer break strong and get the best result possible. I think this will cause at least one or more crashes or collisions that result in five drivers not finishing the race. Who that will be exactly is to be determined, but I have a feeling something big will happen in this race.

Lando Norris will Win the Dutch Grand Prix

I think the writing has been on the wall all weekend long. Yes, he did miss out on pole by twelve thousandths of a second to his teammate Oscar Piastri, but Lando Norris has been the pace-setter this weekend. Having won last year's race by a significant margin, Lando's comfort level and pace at this track will do him a world of good come race day.

I think Lando will silence a lot of doubters this weekend. Of course, getting by Piastri is hard enough, but like I said, Norris has a sort of pace around Zandvoort that we haven't seen before. If he can get by Piastri at any point in the race, I think he won't give it back. He is just that good around Zandvoort.

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Until next time!

-Matt Hylen