F1 Zandvoort Grandprix

Formula 1’s reigning and dominant King returns home for what could be many victory laps with another record in sight. Max Verstappen returns to the Netherlands looking to remain undefeated at Zandvoort and keep Red Bull undefeated on the season. Formula 1 returns after its traditional summer break, with teams and drivers resuming racing at Round 14 of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Dutch Grand Prix. Zandvoort is one of the more challenging permanent circuits on the F1 calendar. The track is narrow and the straights are short, placing a premium on qualifying well, while the many gravel traps serve to punish even the smallest mistake. The banked corners at T3 and T14, and the proliferation of flatter, high-speed turns mean tyre supplier Pirelli arrives at Zandvoort with the C1, C2 and C3 compounds from the harder end of its range.

Vettel on pole in Bahrain GP

Sebastian Vettel secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix as the improved Red Bull edged out Lewis Hamilton. Vettel and his team-mate Mark Webber had been behind the two McLarens going in to their final laps but as Nico Rosberg faltered, both improved and Vettel's time of 1:32.422 was enough to give him his 31st pole position. Hamilton also improved on his final lap to take second, 0.1s behind Vettel with Webber a similar distance further back.

Jenson Button starts fourth after aborting his final lap, with Rosberg fifth. The Mercedes had looked quick throughout practice and the opening two qualifying sessions, but a couple of slight errors cost last weekend's winner.