Adam Scriven's Dutch Grand Prix Tips: Lando Norris can land podium spot

Formula 1 returns from its summer break and heads straight to the beach for this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.

A capacity crowd will flock to Zandvoort in the expectation of watching home hero Max Verstappen equal Sebastian Vettel's record of winning nine grands prix in a row.

The odds suggest they won't be disappointed - it is just 1/4 that Verstappen wins at the circuit for the third year in a row - and it is hard to make a case against him doing so. 

Luckily there are some more attractive prices to be found in other markets.

Adam Scriven's Dutch Grand Prix Tips

Lando Norris podium finish @ 6/5 
Both Aston Martins points finish @ 1/1 
Valtteri Bottas points finish @ 2/1 

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Setting the scene…

Domination by one team or driver is nothing new in F1, but the way Verstappen has made his mark on the season is without precedent.

The Red Bull ace has charged to 10 wins in the first 12 races of the year, finishing second to his team-mate Sergio Perez in the other two, while he has also won two of the three sprint events.

That sees Verstappen arrive at his home race with a 125-point lead in the championship. 

Vettel put together a run of nine victories, also for Red Bull, in his 2013 campaign, but the manner of Verstappen's wins suggests he could sail past that total.

What	Dutch Grand Prix
Where	Zandvoort Circuit, Netherlands
When	14:00, Sunday 27th August 2023
How to watch	Sky Sports F1
Odds	Max Verstappen 1 /4, Sergio Perez 9/1, Lando Norris 14/1, Lewis Hamilton 14/1, Charles Leclerc 22/1

Lando Norris podium finish @ 6/5

Behind the Red Bulls a really competitive season has taken place. Six drivers from five different teams have had a second-place finish and the gaps are so small that any small improvement from a team has seen them leap up the order.

McLaren made a slow start to the campaign, but an upgrade that was introduced in three stages from the Austrian Grand Prix has seen them emerge as a consistent podium threat.

Adam Scriven’s Tip

Lando Norris recorded back-to-back second places at very different circuits in Britain and Hungary. 

Things didn't go according to plan for the team in Belgium before the summer break, but Oscar Piastri's excellent performance in the sprint race there at least showed there was potential in the car.

Norris struggled at Spa but he can be forgiven that and the Briton has gone well at Zandvoort in the past. Take him to bounce back with a third podium appearance of the season. 

Both Aston Martins points finish @ 1/1

Aston Martin made a brilliant start to the season with Fernando Alonso taking five podium finishes in the first six races.

The Silverstone-based squad have failed to develop their car as successfully as some of their rivals, but the season hasn't exactly unravelled for them and Alonso is one of three drivers to have scored points in every grand prix.

Lance Stroll hasn't been on Alonso's pace, but he has managed a points finish in five of the last six races, missing out only at Silverstone where he collided with Pierre Gasly and was given a penalty.

Adam Scriven’s Tip

Aston Martin are no longer a threat to the podium places but Alonso will be targeting the top six in Zandvoort, while a place in the top 10 should be comfortably within Stroll's capabilities.

Backing both green machines to score points has been a winning bet in five of the last six races, so the even-money on offer looks well worth taking.

Valtteri Bottas points finish @ 2/1

Valtteri Bottas is clearly loving life as an Alfa Romeo driver and the mustachioed Finn is worth a small bet to register a points finish.

It hasn't been a great season for the Sauber-run team with Bottas and team-mate Zhou Guanyu collecting just four points finishes between them. 

However, an upgraded floor has improved their performance and they have more potential than they have been able to show of late. 

Adam Scriven's Tip

Bottas has finished 12th at each of the last three races, but there are reasons to think he can improve on that.

At Silverstone he ran out of fuel in qualifying and had to start from the back, while in Hungary he qualified an excellent seventh but dropped out of the top 10 following a poor opening lap.

Belgium didn't suit the car, but Zandvoort should be more to the Alfa's liking and the experienced Bottas can bring home a much-needed point or two.

Adam Scriven's Dutch Grand Prix Tips

Lando Norris podium finish @ 6/5 
Both Aston Martins points finish @ 1/1 
Valtteri Bottas points finish @ 2/1 

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.