Max Verstappen's Final Dutch Grand Prix: How To Watch The 2026 F1 Farewell
When it comes to competitive racing, few organizations can reach the same level of excitement and fan support as Formula 1 Racing. The cars are fast, the tracks are difficult, and the tensions are always high as racers compete for points on their way to the podium. But this year's Dutch Grand Prix is a bittersweet one.
2026 is a year of endings in F1 as we see beloved racer Max Verstappen burn rubber for the last time on his home turf. Because of that, the expectations that he will fight for first place are even higher, and we have all the info on where and when to watch Verstappen's final Dutch GP.
Where Can You Watch The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix?
Weekend Warm-Up - August 20th @ 10:30 AM EST
Practice 1 - August 21st @ 6:10 AM EST
Sprint Qualifying - August 21st @ 10:10 AM EST
Sprint - August 22nd 5:15 AM EST
Qualifying - August 22nd @ 9:25 AM EST
Race Day - August 23rd @ 7:50 AM EST
F1 races are always fun to see, but due to the races taking place around the world, it's hard to know when and where to tune in. For the Dutch Grand Prix, the race will be held this weekend from August 20th to August 23rd, with the race being on the last day. Watching this race is also much easier than you'd expect.
The best way to watch the final Dutch Grand Prix unfold is on Apple TV, which has become the home for F1 and a great way to connect with your favorite races and racers. They even have kid-friendly programming to help younger fans get excited. But if you don't have Apple TV, F1 TV Pro is another easily accessible alternative.
This Is Max Verstappen's Final Race At The Zandvoort Circuit
Max Verstappen is the son of Jos Verstappen, a rally and F1 driver who helped his son's development in the sport. Verstappen became an F1 driver at 17, already breaking the record for the youngest racer at the Australian Grand Prix. But he wouldn't stop there, as he then became the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix at the age of 18.
Since then, he has had 71 wins in his career and four championship wins; however, he finished second last year. In total, he's accumulated over 3,500 points in his racing career and now races for Team Red Bull, which has had other iconic drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo.
Being Dutch-born, this weekend's race is a bittersweet one for Verstappen, as it's the last time he will race at home, with the Zandvoort track being retired. To commemorate the moment, he even posted a short video on his YouTube channel to highlight his last time in the Netherlands as a driver. To honor this, he's also wearing a unique helmet that highlights the culture and beauty of the Netherlands.
Why Is This Zandvoort's Final Year?
The Dutch Grand Prix 2026 marks the end of an era, with F1 leaving the area, but considering that one of the sport's most beloved racers is from the area, it begs the question: Why leave in the first place? Unfortunately, these things end for the same reason: money.
Three companies have privately owned Zandvoort for years, and they have taken on the risk for as long as they felt it was necessary. Now, that choice has taken a turn as the risk no longer seems worth it. Zandvoort is also one of the few tracks not owned by a public subsidy, making its fate naturally more shaky than other circuits.
That said, the real tragedy of retiring this track is that the odds of it returning in rotation in some capacity are next to zero. Circuit Boss Robert van Overdijk was not afraid to affirm this, stating (via VIVASPORT): "We are simply on the hook for this mega-event at our own expense and risk; those risks stop sometime."
While this is the end of one circuit, it doesn't have to be a sad one. Verstappen has a chance to bring a win home for his homeland, and F1 will continue to evolve, giving other parts of the world a chance to host the iconic sport. But when the Dutch Grand Prix airs on Apple TV, it will surely be a sight ot behold.
