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SomersF1 · Aug 20, 2026

2026 Dutch Grand Prix tech journal & document cache

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Matthew Somerfield · SomersF1

After a few weeks off for the summer shutdown, Formula One returns for its last harrah at Zandvoort, as the Dutch Grand Prix will fall off the calendar once more.

It’s a Sprint race weekend, so don’t expect a huge amount of updates to land on the cars but, we do know that Aston Martin are going to follow up their Hungarian Grand Prix package with a few extra components, alongside a powerunit and fuel update, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

This article will be updated throughout the weekend to include more documention as it lands, along with links to any additional articles that I post in relation to updates that the teams might have.

I do hope you’re enjoying the content I’m providing here on substack this year, if so please be sure to subscribe in order you get it delivered straight to your inbox.

First up we have the circuit map, which shows us that there will be just two straight-line mode zones, where active aero can be deployed in Zandvoort.

The red SM indicators are the zone lengths under normal conditions and the blue SM indicators denote the zone lengths when the track is considered to be in a low grip state.

The four SLM zones are on the pit straight and between 10 & 11.

The overtake detection and activation zones are denoted in green, with the detection point before T13 and the activation zone ahead of T14 before the start/finish line.

Pirelli are supplying the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, with minimum starting pressures for the dry tyres of 26.0psi at the front and 25.0psi at the rear indicated before the action gets underway.

Historically the tyre manufacturer has sought to adjust these after Friday’s Free Practice running, so I’ll let you know if that changes in due course.

On the topic of Pirelli, here’s their preview infographic which serves to give us some additional information that can be handy, such as the average pit stop loss, which they have at around 20 seconds.

Circuit Characteristics

Circuit Length: 4.259 km Race Laps: 72

Race Distance: 307 km

Distance from Pole to First Braking Zone: 210m

Pole Position Side: Left

Pit Lane Length Under Speed Limit Control: 383m

Drive-Through Time at 80 km/h: 17s

Race Characteristics

Safety Car Probability 60% Average Track Temperature 24 °C

Average Ambient Temperature 19.6 °C Highest Track Temperature 30.6°C

Highest Ambient Temperature 23.6 °C Wet Session Probability 33%

*Information supplied by Mercedes

Next up we have details regarding power and energy limits, as they’ll change from race-to-race, with 8.5MJ of recharge available during the Sprint/Race, except when Overtake is active, as this rises to 9MJ.

Sprint Qualifying and Qualifying has a maximum recharge of 9MJ.

In case you hadn't seen, here's an in-depth look at the updates teams ran in Hungary

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Albert Fabrega@AlbertFabrega

Primeras fotos del pitlane de Zandvoort

9:50 AM · Aug 20, 2026 · 6.14K Views

1 Reply · 2 Reposts · 64 Likes

Car presentation document

Read the original on somersf1.substack.com

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