Formula One Returns with Dutch Grand Prix Amid Controversy Over Sponsorship

After a three-week hiatus, Formula One is set to resume this weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. Teams are eager to see how the upgrades made to their cars during the summer break will impact their performance. However, one team faces a unique challenge as they must alter their car livery due to a ban imposed by Dutch authorities. The Stake F1 team, which is sponsored by the international gambling provider Stake, has been prohibited from displaying its branding at the Zandvoort track. This decision comes from the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling authority, which stated that Stake does not hold a license to operate in the Netherlands. Consequently, the KSA has mandated that both the team and Formula One refrain from using the Stake name and logos during the event. The KSA's ruling stems from concerns over illegal gambling advertising, as Stake's website is inaccessible to Dutch players due to a geoblock. The authority emphasized that promoting unlicensed gambling at a high-profile event like Formula One is unacceptable. In light of this, the Stake team will compete under the alternative name "Kick Sauber" for the Dutch Grand Prix. This change is temporary, as Stake's sponsorship is part of a two-year contract leading up to the team's transition to Audi in 2026. The German car manufacturer is set to make its debut in Formula One, marking a significant shift in the team's branding and identity.