The eyes turn to Max Verstappen. Can the world champion win his Formula 1 home game in Zandvoort on Sunday (3 p.m. / Sky and RTL)? Ferrari and Mercedes also appear strong. Mick Schumacher has his sights set on points.

Red Bull's local hero

The victory in Zandvoort only leads to Max Verstappen. At the last minute, the Red Bull driver took pole position and delighted his home crowd. "It was unbelievable," said the Dutchman on Saturday, who had had gearbox problems the day before. But now Verstappen is in the best starting position to get his tenth win in the 15th race of the season. His second world title would be even closer, the fans would be over the moon.

The Fighter by Haas

timing is everything. Mick Schumacher is fighting for a cockpit for 2023. And then the Haas driver qualified eighth in Zandvoort. "We didn't expect to get into Q3, but we're happy to accept it," said the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher. The car isn't nearly as good as it was at the start of the season, but the 23-year-old is doing his best. "I'm hoping for a good race and that we can pick up a few points," he said.

The hope in red

Charles Leclerc was considered Max Verstappen's first World Cup challenger at the beginning of the year. Then Ferrari and Monegasse dismantled. After second place in the Netherlands qualification, Leclerc thinks he can go back to earlier times. "It's good to finally be back where we were in the first half of the season. At least we're competitive," he said. Only 0.021 seconds - i.e. 1.85 meters - Leclerc missed Verstappen. His teammate Carlos Sainz was third. The Scuderia wants to go hunting again.

The turning into silver

Lewis Hamilton flourished. "The car changed completely this weekend because of the different type of track," said the Mercedes driver after fourth on the grid. Until recently, Hamilton's teammate George Russell, who finished sixth, was even in the fight for pole position. That gives hope after the complicated race in Belgium a week ago. The performance in Zandvoort felt good. "It reminded us of the good old days from last year," said Hamilton, who lost the World Cup to Max Verstappen in a controversial final in 2021.