Zandvoort, Netherlands – After a month-long summer break, Formula One roars back this weekend at the seaside track of Zandvoort, where the Dutch Grand Prix promises drama on and off the asphalt. With 10 races left, the championship fight is tighter than ever, and storylines are plenty. Here are five things to watch.

McLaren’s papaya puzzle
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri head into Zandvoort as clear front-runners. Norris won here last year, while Piastri leads the standings by just nine points. The team’s so-called “papaya rules” allow the pair to race freely, with one condition: don’t hit each other. That pact already failed once in Canada. With tensions rising, the big question is whether McLaren will let them keep dueling or lean toward a clear No. 1 driver.

Verstappen’s redemption bid
For once, Max Verstappen is not the man to beat at his home race. Last year, the reigning champion endured a nightmare weekend, spinning in practice, losing pole to Norris, and finishing way off the pace. Adding insult, Norris cheekily mocked Verstappen’s usual “simply lovely” radio call. Now, the Dutchman faces the roar of his orange-clad fans with hopes of a miracle drive to turn the tide.

Hamilton’s Ferrari blues
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been anything but smooth. The seven-time world champion stunned many by calling himself “completely useless” in Hungary before the break. At 40, speculation about retirement is growing, though Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur insists he has the team’s full support. Fans will be watching closely to see if a summer reset reignites Hamilton’s spark.

Silly season gossip
The break may have cooled engines, but it fired up the rumor mill. George Russell’s contract with Mercedes is still unsigned, fueling speculation despite his confidence that a deal is only a matter of time. Elsewhere, teams remain cautious about major changes ahead of next year’s regulations, but Zandvoort’s paddock chatter will be buzzing.

Zandvoort’s chaos factor
The dunes of Zandvoort always deliver unpredictability. Last year’s heavy rain caused crashes, including Logan Sargeant’s near-total wreck in his Williams. This weekend’s showers could play into Verstappen’s wet-weather skills. Dutch fans, already famous for their sea of orange, will make the most of it – especially since this is Zandvoort’s penultimate F1 appearance.

The stage is set: tight battles, simmering rivalries, and the roar of the orange army. Zandvoort rarely disappoints.

Toyota Motor Philippines has opened the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines eSports GT Championship qualifiers, inviting new and seasoned sim racers to take their first step into motorsports. The qualifying window runs until September 14, with options to set a time online or at select Toyota GR Performance dealerships.

Players compete in sprint races on Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 4 or 5. Online qualifiers require an active PSN account, a PS Plus subscription, and a copy of the game. Walk-in qualifiers at participating dealerships only need a valid government ID for verification. The Top 40 from qualifiers advance to the quarterfinals.

Registration is through the event form, after which racers can pick an online or on-site qualifier slot. The quarterfinals happen on October 11 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Pasay City, followed by the semifinals and national finals on October 12 at the same venue. The Top 3 in the country will represent the Philippines at the Asia Finals in Thailand later this year.

The championship is open to Filipino citizens or permanent residents based in the Philippines during the tournament. Minors 17 and below need guardian consent. Winners receive cash prizes, original GR merchandise, and an invitation to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Academy.

Toyota notes that its e-motorsports ladder has already delivered real-world results. Past champions Russel Reyes and Luis Moreno progressed to the TGR Philippine Cup and won the Novice Class titles in 2024 and 2025. Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services Andy Ty said the live finals will bring the virtual action to life and encouraged fans to join or watch the on-site showdown.

The series is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines. Petron serves as Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner and GT Radial as Official Tire Partner, with support from Seiko, Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, Denso, OMP, ROTA, Autoplus, PIAA, Vinyl Frog Premier Vehicle Wraps, AutoQuix, Sparco, myTOYOTA Wallet, and Kinto One.

Cadillac is set to make a statement when it joins Formula One in 2026, signing seasoned drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to lead its debut campaign.

The American marque, now officially the 11th team on the F1 grid, confirmed Tuesday that the two veterans, both sidelined this year, will return to the sport under its banner. Between them, Perez and Bottas carry more than 500 race starts, six wins for Perez, and 10 victories for Bottas, mostly during his time with Mercedes.

Perez, 35, was dropped by Red Bull at the end of last season despite still having two years left on his contract. Bottas, who turns 36 this week, raced for Sauber in 2024 before taking a reserve role at Mercedes this season.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon said their signing signals Cadillac’s intent to compete at the highest level from the start. “They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula One. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team,” Lowdon explained.

Mark Reuss, president of General Motors, called the duo “a really good winning combination,” while TWG Global chief executive Dan Towriss emphasized their leadership and technical knowledge. “There is a young pool of drivers who are very exciting, but it was the leadership of these two that stood out,” Towriss said.

For Perez, the deal represents both pride and pressure. “Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport. To help bring them to Formula One is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on,” he said. Bottas echoed the sentiment, highlighting the project’s long-term vision. “It’s not every day you get to be part of something built from the ground up and help shape it into a proper F1 team,” the Finn said.

Cadillac’s F1 bid was approved by the FIA in March, following the rejection of a rival Andretti-linked proposal. The new outfit will start with Ferrari-supplied engines before switching to GM power units later. Operations will be split across three hubs, Indiana and North Carolina in the US, and Silverstone in England.

With two proven race winners at the helm, Cadillac is betting on experience to fast-track its way into F1 credibility.