As we head into the second race of the second half of the season, home town hero Max Verstappen is looking unbeatable after his comfortable victory in Spa, despite starting 14th.
But what will the story be when the reigning world champion returns to home soil?
It looks like it will be business as usual for Red Bull. Mercedes' doesn't seem to have made the improvements they were hoping to make during the summer break, and Ferrari can't stop messing up their race strategy.
It's difficult to argue against the Dutch Grand Prix being one of the best races on the calendar, especially if you're a Max fan. Last year the circuit had a rave-like festival feel and we can't help but think the atmosphere will be taken up a notch with Max being on top form and being on track to win a second championship.
Ferrari's championship hopes are disappearing
During the opening races of the season, it looked like we could be in for an amazing show in Abu Dhabi, just like last year. But thanks to a plethora of mistakes by Ferrari and a strong Red Bull package, the gap between Charles and Max is now a staggering 98 points.
For Charles to win the championship, he will need Max to finish no higher than fourth in at least five of the remaining races, this would give him a narrow title win of five points come the end of the season.
Mercedes still can't find the pace
The Mercedes W13 will go down as one of the team's least successful cars with team principal Toto Wolff suggesting that the car will be taken to the caves of Mercedes' memorabilia room, as opposed to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Whilst the struggles were clear from the start, nobody expected the team to take a step backwards after the summer break. This season has been so bad for the team that it could be the first year in Lewis Hamilton's 15-year career that he doesn't win at least 1 race.
George Russell, however, sits 5th in the standings with 24 more points than Hamilton. With a competitive teammate and a not-so-competitive car, Hamilton may never compete for a championship title again.
Silly season continues
Most of the top teams are keeping the same driver lineup. But there are some very significant changes in the midfield.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton - Contract signed until the end of 2023
George Russell - Signed 'long-term' deal in 2022
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen - Contract signed until 2028
Sergio Perez - Contract signed until 2024
Scuderia Ferrari
Charles Leclerc - Contract signed until 2024
Carlos Sainz - Contract signed until 2024
Mclaren
Lando Norris - Contract signed until 2025
Daniel Ricciardo - Let go from the team with an £8.5 million payout. Replacement is unconfirmed.
Alpine
Esteban Ocon - Contract signed until 2024
Fernando Alonso - Moving to Aston Martin in 2023 to replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel
Aston Martin
Lance Stroll - Dad owns Aston Martin; contract signed.
Sebastian Vettel - Retiring after the 2022 season. Being replaced by Fernando Alonso
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas - Contract signed until 2024
Zhou Guanyu - Unsigned as of 1st September. His competition includes the likes of Mick Schumacher and Théo Pourchaire for the seat.
AphaTauri
Pierre Gasly - Contract signed until 2024
Yuki Tsunoda - Unsigned as of 1st September. Could be replaced by Alex Albon or Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson.
Williams
Alex Albon - Contract signed until 2023
Nicholas Latifi - Unsigned as of 1st September. Mercedes reserve Nyck de Vries and Oscar Piastri have both been named as possible Williams drivers for 2023.
Haas
Kevin Magnussen - Rejoined has on a 'multi-year deal'
Mick Schumacher - Unsigned as of 1st September. Mick cut ties with Ferrari to become a free agent to look for a drive outside Ferrari's sphere of influence.
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