(Motorsport-Total.com) – This weekend, Zandvoort is hosting its sixth Dutch Grand Prix in the modern Formula 1 era, after Verstappen’s unprecedented popularity and successes revived a race that was long considered history.
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In a calendar that has gradually expanded to include more and more street circuits in urban centers, the return to the 4.259-kilometer twisty maze through the North Sea dunes was a welcome change for most of the F1 driver field – while Formula 1 continues to try to balance its diverse calendar.
Apart from the sand-dominated backdrop, Zandvoort with its hilly nature and banked corners is hardly to be confused with any other race track on the calendar. Drivers usually choose a uniquely wide outside line in the Hugenholtzbocht – or turn 3 for those less linguistically adventurous – while Scheivlak represents an ultra-fast courage corner.
The last corner, named after Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, features a fitting banked curve that allows full throttle and extends the otherwise relatively short start-finish straight.
This rollercoaster ride will become history after this weekend’s event, as Zandvoort has decided not to renew the expiring contract with F1 management.
Unlike most other Grand Prix hosts, the local organizers cannot count on any government support to cushion the financial risk. And since Formula 1’s popularity in the Netherlands seems to have reached its saturation point, they decided to play it safe and quit while they are still at the top – news that was met with some regret by the driver community.
Piastri: Prefer Zandvoort over another street circuit
“It’s a shame,” says last year’s winner Oscar Piastri. “As a track to drive, it is one of the best we have all year round. Admittedly, as a race track for wheel-to-wheel duels, it may not be the most exciting, and just logistically it is quite small for Formula 1.”
“But of course, you also have to maintain a certain balance. There are so many different countries that want to host a Formula 1 race. For us as drivers, racing on all the historic tracks is probably the most fun,” says the Australian.
“If Zandvoort is replaced in the future by Imola or Spa, I’m quite happy with that. But if it has to give way to another street circuit that might not be the best, then you have to find the right balance first. But the track will be missed because it is a cool place.”
Teammate Lando Norris adds: “I’m quite disappointed because I just like the event itself and the fans. Although most of them are here for a particular driver, it is always a fun event, a good atmosphere, and real passion – exactly what you want. It’s a shame, and hopefully the race will come back one day.”
Hülkenberg: “Like in a club!”
Audi veteran Nico Hülkenberg, who won in Zandvoort in 2006 in the long-gone A1GP series, also praises the lively atmosphere: “I drove here a lot in my junior years, and the atmosphere is a bit like in a club. It almost has a real festival character, and I have loved it here in recent years. So I will miss it,” says the German.
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Lance Stroll from Aston Martin emphasizes that the high risk-reward factor due to the limited runoff areas in Zandvoort increases the challenge: “It’s just one of those old-school tracks,” says the Canadian. “We race on many modern circuits with huge runoff areas. In doing so, you lose some of the character of what it means to drive a traditional track.”
“Here it is still one of those places with gravel and grass. If you put a wheel off the track here, you have a problem. That’s exactly what makes it so special,” says the Canadian.
The race track is a relic of days gone by, and that is both a curse and a blessing. The drivers enjoy the topography, the fast corners, and the tight, unforgiving character. However, this also means that the track is actually too narrow for modern Formula 1 cars to provide a thrilling show.
That is not the fault of the track, but there is a reason why only an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm for a local hero made the miraculous Dutch GP possible in the first place.
Verstappen: One of the best tracks on the calendar
The four-time world champion Max Verstappen won his home race three times in a row – including a gripping edition in 2021 at the height of his intricate title battle with Lewis Hamilton.
After McLaren somewhat stole the show from him in recent years, it seems unlikely that Verstappen will be able to compete for victory in 2026. Nevertheless, he was grateful for the experience of racing in front of 100,000 passionate fans six years in a row.
Formula 1 tracks that have been rebuilt
“The history here, the large number of fans who love motorsport, and the track has a cool layout,” Verstappen sums up his love for Zandvoort. “It is definitely very rewarding when you get it right – that is real old-school driving.”
“Compared to some circuits that lack a bit of character, it is definitely one of the best tracks on the calendar. It will certainly be missed. It has always been a lot of fun to drive here,” says the Red Bull driver.
“Even if I weren’t Dutch, it would always have been fantastic to race here. But as a Dutchman, it made it a bit more special.”
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