Is it the end of Dutch dominance in Formula 1?

It's been a week full of mixed emotions for Dutch Formula One fans, with Max Verstappen winning the Qatar Grand Prix and his fourth world title and the news that the Dutch Grand Prix will stop after 2026.

Formula 1 and the Dutch Grand Prix promoter had possibly discussed an extension, but the promoter has chosen to stop racing in the Netherlands beyond 2026.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: "I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix has done in recent years. They raised the bar for European Grands Prix regarding event spectacle and entertainment."

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The event became known for its unique fan experience and the famous 'Orange Wall' supporting their Formula One hero and four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

The return of the Dutch Grand Prix in 2021 coincided with Verstappen's dominance at the summit of Formula One, winning three out of the four races in Zandvoort and all four championships.

According to the F1 website, at the 2024 edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen was comfortably beaten by McLaren's Lando Norris, losing by 22 seconds. Was Verstappen's loss at his home Grand Prix a sign that things are changing for the Dutch in Formula One?

Despite winning his fourth world title, Max Verstappen didn't dominate his fellow drivers like he had in the previous three seasons. After winning in China in April, he won five of the next 18 races.

Between 2021 and 2023, Verstappen and Red Bull looked virtually untouchable, winning 44 of 66 races and a record-breaking 19 wins in 2023. However, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari won their fair share of Grand Prix in 2024.

The lack of new wind-tunnel technology, the feud with Christian Horner, and the loss of mastermind Adrian Newey have all appeared to cause a storm in the Red Bull camp, with the apparent lack of victories.

According to Sportskeeda, Jos Verstappen was asked if his son had already peaked in Formula 1, and Verstappen Sr. couldn't confirm or deny that Verstappen had reached his ceiling.

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"That's a difficult question to answer. With experience, you can improve, but can he get much better? I don't know. I think Max was ready to be a world champion at 21."

With Verstappen's invincible stretch over and potentially already peaked in F1, combined with the end of Formula One racing in the Netherlands, does this signify the end of Dutch dominance and the orange wall in the sport?

According to Live Sport, Formula 2 has two Dutch drivers competing. Richard Verschoor is ninth on 88 points, and Niels Koolen is 31st on zero points.

In Formula 3, 19-year-old Laurens Van Hoepen has made good progress in his first season, landing four podiums in 18 starts. However, four Dutch drivers across F1, F2, and F3 is not good for growing the sport in the Netherlands.

With drivers like Lando Norris and George Russell staking a claim at the top of the F1 standings and the huge influx of British talent coming through the Formula 1 Pyramid, Britain could be the country to dominate the circuit next.

Whatever happens in the future, the Dutch dominance in F1 will be remembered for Verstappen's masterful driving and the sea of orange from the stands. Will Britain or someone else carry the sport forward?

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