(Motorsport-Total.com) – There are crucial questions at every Formula 1 race weekend in 2026. Namely: What is the weather forecast? Is wet track expected on site? Are intermediates or even rain tires needed? Or will it remain consistently dry from practice through qualifying to the race, making dry tires sufficient? In short: What should drivers like Nico Hülkenberg, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton prepare for?
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To answer these questions, our editors have been closely monitoring the weather at the Formula 1 venues several days before the start of tests or race weekends. During the event, this preview article is updated with new weather details such as temperature in degrees Celsius, wind strength, cloud cover, and expected precipitation for each day of the weekend.
The result is as precise a weather forecast as possible for the respective Grands Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season. However, all information is without guarantee, as some motorsport locations like Spa-Francorchamps or the Nürburgring are known for particularly changeable weather that cannot always be predicted accurately. Precipitation can also occur there unexpectedly.
The next time Formula 1 hits the track is in Zandvoort, from August 21 to 23, 2026, for the Dutch Grand Prix, the twelfth race weekend of the year. (Retrieve the complete 2026 Formula 1 calendar here!)
Friday, August 21, 2026
1st Free Practice (12:30-13:30)
Upon returning from the summer break, Formula 1 faces changeable weather in Zandvoort. There is a chance of rain already in the 1st Free Practice. However, if showers occur on the North Sea coast, it will likely be only a small amount of rain: about one liter per square meter is forecast for the entire afternoon.
Temperatures initially are at 18 degrees Celsius, below the August average for the region. So it will be cooler than expected. Additionally, winds from the north average 20 km/h, which mostly means headwind on the long main straight, as well as tailwind in turn 3 and exiting turn 12.
Sprint Qualifying (from 16:30)
For the second session of the day, the weather is expected to stabilize. The air temperature remains at 18 degrees, but cloud cover over the track should decrease. This also reduces the risk of rain. The wind again blows from the north at an average of 20 km/h, reaching up to 30 km/h in gusts.
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Sprint (start at 12:00)
On the second day of running in Zandvoort, there is again a small chance of rain. This could result in a wet track for the sprint. In any case, it remains cool: temperatures reach a maximum of 18 degrees Celsius, and the sky over Zandvoort appears overcast.
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Compared to Friday, the wind weakens somewhat: it hits the dune circuit from the north at an average of twelve km/h. This again results in headwind on the main straight and tailwind in—for example—turns 3 and 12. Individual gusts reach the 20 km/h mark.
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Qualifying (from 16:00)
Qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix will likely be the first session of the weekend where rain is not an issue. Just in time for the Formula 1 time trial, the cloud cover is expected to break up and let the sun shine through. Temperatures remain at 18 degrees.
In the afternoon, the wind shifts slightly from north-northwest to north-northeast. This means drivers will face even more headwind on the main straight and more tailwind in turns 3 and 12. Individual gusts can exceed 30 km/h, with an average around 20 km/h.
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Grand Prix (start at 15:00)
Sunday will be the friendliest day of the Formula 1 race weekend in Zandvoort. The few clouds will almost completely clear by midday, so the sun will dominate in the early afternoon. However, it remains cool at 18 degrees Celsius.
The wind also continues conditions from qualifying: drivers should expect an average of 17 km/h from the northeast, with individual gusts up to 30 km/h. They will again face headwind on the main straight and tailwind in certain sections like turn 3 or turn 12.
Note: This forecast will be updated several times during the week!
First forecasts for the Formula 1 race in Monza
The Formula 1 weekend in Monza could be summery again: in early September, daytime temperatures in the Milan region are around 25 degrees Celsius. On average, there are eight to ten hours of sunshine daily. However, with about six rainy days on average in September, it can also get wet at the Italian Grand Prix.
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