F1 Dutch GP media day: Verstappen on mindset, Norris in title fight, Hamilton resets, Russell on Mercedes future.
Zandvoort is back in orange. The beachside grandstands are already buzzing, rain is lurking in the forecast, and Thursday’s media day was about more than just atmosphere. Drivers spoke openly on where the season heads next, and what 2026 might look like.
Verstappen: Calm at Home, Linked to Mercedes Noise
Max Verstappen walked in relaxed. Ten races left, no title chase this time. “Just try to make the best of it,” he said. Hungary was poor, Zandvoort will not be easy either. High-speed corners help, low and medium speed still hurt. Rain could change everything. “That always creates a bit of chaos.”
He smiled when the crowd came up. “It brings a smile on my face… it’s quite a bit of a party.” With Zandvoort’s place on the calendar coming to an end after next year, he said he is proud just to have had a home race at all.
And yet Verstappen’s name has been in another storyline. Linked heavily to George Russell’s seat at Mercedes for 2026 before committing to Red Bull, a move that never came. That left Russell to answer the speculation directly.
Russell: “When the Time is Right”
George Russell said he feels no rush. “There’s no pressure from me, or the team. We’ll get it sorted when it makes sense.”
He explained why contract talks paused over the summer. “Toto and the team were very open to discuss and come to a solution during the break but I didn’t want to use those precious two weeks. I wanted to recharge.”
Six podiums and a Canadian Grand Prix win have put Russell fourth in the standings and firm in his position. “The truth is simple. I want to win, and I want that to be with Mercedes.”
His rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli admitted the break was just as important. A first podium has been followed by lean form. “Not going to lie, I was drained coming into the last couple of races but this holiday was good to reset. I come into this weekend with a clearer view on what I have to do and what I want to achieve.”
Hamilton: Ferrari Reset
Lewis Hamilton called this weekend a restart. Hungary had left him low, calling himself “useless.” In Zandvoort he admitted that was frustration talking. “It was just heat of the moment. Of course it’s not how I really feel.”
He used the gap to step away. Family time, Roscoe at his side, meditation and gratitude. “That’s always been my way. And it’s what I’ll carry with me now.”
Now the aim is clear. “I think right now, it’s about calming some things down and getting back to enjoying my job. I love this sport, I always have. For me, this feels like the reset we needed.”
Hamilton pointed to Ferrari’s progress already and said Monza is the next step. “Everyone is working so hard back at the factory. We are making progress, so we just have to keep going.”
Norris: Grounded in the Title Fight
Three wins in the last four races have cut the gap to Oscar Piastri to nine points. The word championship followed Lando Norris into every answer. He pushed it away. “We do that race by race,” he said.
Norris admitted mistakes in China and Canada but called them lessons. And when Hungary’s one-stop gamble was raised, he rejected talk of luck. “It was reading the race in the moment.”
Then came the tribute to Andrea Stella. “Andrea has been the most important part of everything… he knows how to get the most out of every person.” McLaren’s pace is obvious. Their leadership story might be even stronger.
Albon: Williams Fighting to Hold Fifth
Alex Albon has always liked Zandvoort. Twice he has outperformed here despite Williams’ car not suiting the circuit. He calls it a “confidence track,” one where rhythm matters more than outright power.
The bigger picture is close. Williams want fifth in the Constructors’ but Haas are closing fast. “We’re going to be elbows out for the rest of the season,” Albon said.
Rookies: Bortoleto, Bearman, Hadjar
Gabriel Bortoleto returned from Brazil recharged. Points in three of the last four races, upgrades working, Austria as the breakthrough. “It’s a process. You learn, you improve.” Now he wants to feel Zandvoort’s banking in a full F1 car.
Ollie Bearman has lived frustration. Four times P11, Hungary ending in retirement. “It shows we can be there, but we just need fine-tuning to make that final step.”
Isack Hadjar has gone without points since Spain but sounded confident. “It’s just about not making mistakes when you don’t want them. I need to do a better job, but raw pace is here.” He was blunt about his approach. “I’m trying my stuff and learning. If that means mistakes, it’s normal. I’m a rookie.”
Closing Thoughts
Media day at Zandvoort set out the grid in layers. Verstappen easing into enjoyment more than expectation. Russell steady in Mercedes colours. Hamilton chasing a restart with Ferrari. Norris refusing to overthink a title fight. Albon keeping Williams scrappy. Bearman and Bortoleto finding their feet. Hadjar unafraid to experiment. Antonelli searching for a reset. Cadillac looming in the background.
The orange smoke will rise, the rain may fall, and the weekend will write its own drama. But the words on Thursday already told us plenty about where Formula One is heading next.