FORMULA ONE returns from its mid-season break with a different sort of challenge in store for the drivers.

Persistent rain fell this morning as the Dutch Grand Prix got under way with only a single practice session before heading straight into qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race.

It’s set to be the first time the 2026 cars and their formidable electrical power have been tried in the rain as part of a race weekend, outside of a brief spell in January’s pre-season shakedown runs.

“I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be very exciting,” said Kimi Antonelli, who topped the sole practice session today and heads into the second half of the season with a 50-point lead in his push to become F1’s youngest-ever champion.

“It’s going be a big challenge for everyone because there’s so much unknown in wet conditions, but it’s a condition that I enjoy,” the 19-year-old added.

Lewis Hamilton is second in the standings and returns, he says, the “fittest” he’s ever been after a mid-season break devoted to training and he’s pleased with Ferrari’s innovative approach to developing his car.

Hamilton’s consistency has kept him in the championship hunt. He is the only driver to have completed every race lap so far this season, with his one win coming in Barcelona in June.

Lando Norris is refusing to give up hope of defending his title after claiming a first win of the season last time out in Budapest, despite being 91 points off the pace.

The Zandvoort track has some similarities to the Hungaroring in its short straights and twisty layout, but the weather couldn’t be more different and there are far more vocal orange-wearing Dutch fans cheering on Max Verstappen.

Almost all fans attending are barred from driving to the track because the seaside resort town puts strict rules on traffic. Instead, they must take the train from Amsterdam or, in a uniquely Dutch take on F1, join the tens of thousands riding bikes to Zandvoort.

Sprint qualifying for Saturday’s 24-lap dash gets under way at 4.30pm BST, with tomorrow’s race kicking off at 2pm.