Last chance saloon for Mercedes as Toto Wolff eyes elusive Dutch GP victory

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team have not won at Zandvoort since its modern revival in 2021 and team principal Toto Wolff is determined to pull off a last-minute reversal.

This weekend (August 21-23) sees Zandvoort host its last Dutch Grand Prix, with the circuit not renewed beyond the 2026 calendar.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 25: Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team arrives in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 25, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images)

placeholder image — BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 25: Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team arrives in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 25, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images)

There’s extra motivation for Mercedes, too, as last time out in Hungary, before the enforced summer shutdown, the Silver Arrows failed to win for only the third time this season.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell finished third and seventh respectively, so they will be eager to improve in the Netherlands.

“We have left points on the table, our rivals have reduced the performance gap, and we know the second half of the year will demand more from us than the first,” Wolff said.

“The championships will be decided by execution and the rate of development we can bring to the car across the next 12 races.

“Whilst we are slightly out of step with upgrades compared to our rivals, we have more performance to unlock and a clear development plan to do so.”

If the Silver Arrows are to triumph in the Netherlands, they will have to see off the improving Ferrari and McLaren, winners of three of the last five races.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who will be unwavering in his efforts to succeed at his last home race, particularly after signing a four-year contract extension, could also pose a real threat to Mercedes’ chances.

Wolff continued: “Zandvoort has been a unique challenge since its return.

“It is a difficult track to master, the fans create an incredible atmosphere, and it has become a race that the teams and drivers look forward to.

"We have come close but never won there in the modern era. This is our final opportunity to change that, and that's a challenge we would like to meet.”

The first sessions in the Netherlands - free practice and sprint qualifying - are at 11.30am and 3.30pm respectively on Friday, August 21.

On Saturday, August 22, the Sprint gets underway at 11am before the hour-long qualifying at 3pm. The main Grand Prix then begins at 2pm on Sunday, August 23.