Tuesday 14th May 2019

Dutch Grand Prix returns!

Zandvoort to host the Dutch Grand Prix from 2020 - for the first time in 35 years

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It's not often there's news of Formula 1 returning to an old circuit - as opposed to announcing a shiny new addition to the calendar - so it's pleasing to hear confirmation of the Dutch GP coming back from 2020.

Zandvoort first hosted the race in 1952, won by Alberto Ascari in a Ferrari 500. The race ran for more than 30 years, the last in 1985 won by Niki Lauda - his 25th and final Grand Prix win. F1 hasn't been in Holland since, meaning swathes of Dutch Formula 1 fans haven't has an event in their own country. With races in nearby Germany, France and Belgium having remained fairly constant, that must have rankled.

That's now going to change, though, with confirmation of an agreement between the F1 World Championship and the Dutch Grand Prix (a triumvirate comprised of SportVibes, TIG Sports and Circuit Zandvoort) to host a race at Zandvoort for at least three years. Heineken will be title sponsor. The reason for the return? Verstappen fever must be at the heart of it: young Max giving Dutch F1 fans something to get excited about for the first time in a very, very long while.

Naturally there's a great deal of positivity around the announcement. Jan Lammers is Sporting Director of the event and said: "The Zandvoort Circuit is legendary and known worldwide and we're delighted to see it host a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship once again." Jean Todt spoke of the "great challenge" it will present to drivers, and Chase Carey (F1 Chairman and CEO) added comment of how the move is "respecting the sport's historic roots in Europe."

Not everyone is happy about the move, though; when this decision was being rumoured a few weeks back, Tiff Needell tweeted about how Zandvoort "isn't a track suitable for F1" and that Verstappen's demo lap "looks like he's on a kart track." There's a concern about a lack of overtaking opportunities, basically, given the age of the track and the size of the cars - despite the improvements in infrastructure promised. Is the return of the Dutch Grand Prix something you're keen for? Or is there another European track more worthy of a revisit from the circus?

[big_rob_sydney]

I'm sure there are standards or criteria for what is required to host an F1 race. Having said that, there are other circuits I'd like to see, such as the full fat Nurburgring, and Monza with its curved banking.

While we're on the subject, I would also love to see some sort of Indy car style oval race.

[slipstream 1985]

Been there really can't see how f1 can pass there would need some sort of an extension.

[London424]

slipstream 1985 said:

Been there really can't see how f1 can pass there would need some sort of an extension.

A procession race. All to captalise on Max's popularity. I guess losing Spain (another procession) now Alonso and his popularity isn't a draw isn't the worst thing in the world.

[Glosole]

As a fan of the old circuit that had a long straight and was spread over a much larger area I doubt that they can pull off installing the required pits etc to a current standard on the now much shortened track. Loved the location though and went to several GP's in the 1970's and 1980's and its very handy for UK fans. Can't really see this happening in its current guise with out buying up a lot of extra land .
But lets face it Dutch fans pop across the the border to the Nurburgring GP track call it the Dutch or European Gp if need be where its all FIA approved and ready to go sounds more sensible.

[Glosole]

As a fan of the old circuit that had a long straight and was spread over a much larger area I doubt that they can pull off installing the required pits etc to a current standard on the now much shortened track. Loved the location though and went to several GP's in the 1970's and 1980's and its very handy for UK fans. Can't really see this happening in its current guise with out buying up a lot of extra land .
But lets face it Dutch fans pop across the the border to the Nurburgring GP track call it the Dutch or European Gp if need be where its all FIA approved and ready to go sounds more sensible.

[anonymous-user]

Beautiful setting in the dunes, the previously suggested curved banking could easily be incorporated in the natural landscape.

Just make sure you travel in 3 days before race day , there is only 1 decent road in and out of Zandvoort, it is going to be the traffic jam from hell. (you can park your superyacht in IJmuiden and quad bike into Zandvoort over the beach as an alternative)

[JTN358AT]

I’ve seen sportscar and club racing there a few time; lovely place to go for that. Right by the seaside, train link in from Amsterdam and great viewing, sitting on the sands. However, as a modern F1 track it’s about on a level with Brands Hatch. Relatively poor infrastructure and a track that at present is not up to the job. I hope they are not betting the bank on making this work, like Donington did.

[crossle]

I took myself to the Dutch GP in 1978. Caught a train from Delft to Zandvoort via The Hague, and it was about a ten minute walk to the track. No problem getting in or out on foot and bought a general admission ticket at the gate. Andretti & Peterson dominated in the JPS Lotus, Lauda 3rd in the Brabham. Rupert Keegan crashed his Surtees right in front of me in the morning warm-up (remember them?) and was carted off with a broken wrist IIRC.
I was back "home" in Delft in time to watch the highlights on TV. My Ginetta G15 caught fire on the trip back to the UK...

[I 8 a 4RE]

This is petulant behaviour by the Dutch. Hockenheim, Spa or the Nurburgring are equal driving distance away as most Brits have to drive to Silverstone.
They will look like clowns on this Mickey Mouse track with facilities dating back to the 80's. This will be an F1 parade!

[j90gta]

crossle said:

I took myself to the Dutch GP in 1978. Caught a train from Delft to Zandvoort via The Hague, and it was about a ten minute walk to the track. No problem getting in or out on foot and bought a general admission ticket at the gate. Andretti & Peterson dominated in the JPS Lotus, Lauda 3rd in the Brabham. Rupert Keegan crashed his Surtees right in front of me in the morning warm-up (remember them?) and was carted off with a broken wrist IIRC.
I was back "home" in Delft in time to watch the highlights on TV. My Ginetta G15 caught fire on the trip back to the UK...

I was at the same race; my first GP. Sat on the outside of Tarzan. Can't see how they can make it cope with modern F1 cars.

[chunder27]

No one will care about the facility and they shouldnt, it is not suposed to be about that.

All Lammers will care about is that he will likely be able to sell 150000 tickets two or three times over because of the spoiled brat with the bullying father in red bull.

that is the ONLY reaosn this venue is here and allowed to be here.

[Old Merc]

j90gta said:

crossle said:

I took myself to the Dutch GP in 1978. Caught a train from Delft to Zandvoort via The Hague, and it was about a ten minute walk to the track. No problem getting in or out on foot and bought a general admission ticket at the gate. Andretti & Peterson dominated in the JPS Lotus, Lauda 3rd in the Brabham. Rupert Keegan crashed his Surtees right in front of me in the morning warm-up (remember them?) and was carted off with a broken wrist IIRC.
I was back "home" in Delft in time to watch the highlights on TV. My Ginetta G15 caught fire on the trip back to the UK...

I was at the same race; my first GP. Sat on the outside of Tarzan. Can't see how they can make it cope with modern F1 cars.

So was I. I did every Zandvoort GP from 1975 to 1980. The 1975 GP I was a guest of the Embassy Hill Team,pit lane pass,dinner with the mechanics,room in their hotel and traveled there and back in the team Transporter. The other years were a little bit different, sleeping in the car,tent on a grass verge,or if we were really lucky in a camp site by the track.

Life in the paddock was so laid back in those days.


Nothing like todays clinically clean corporate stuff.

And it was Hunt`s First and Hesketh`s only GP win.

[chj]

Old Merc said:

So was I. I did every Zandvoort GP from 1975 to 1980. The 1975 GP I was a guest of the Embassy Hill Team,pit lane pass,dinner with the mechanics,room in their hotel and traveled there and back in the team Transporter. The other years were a little bit different, sleeping in the car,tent on a grass verge,or if we were really lucky in a camp site by the track.

Life in the paddock was so laid back in those days.


Nothing like todays clinically clean corporate stuff.

And it was Hunt`s First and Hesketh`s only GP win.

enjoyed that post

[Eric Mc]

Lovely pics.

[Turbobanana]

j90gta said:

Can't see how they can make it cope with modern F1 cars.

For me, that's the point: modern F1 cars have to cope with the track, not the other way round. Drivers might need some "skill", or even "restraint" heaven forbid.

[Eric Mc]

That should always have been the case in F1 (and motorport in general) - "Here's the circuit/track - go racing".

[Old Merc]

Turbobanana said:

j90gta said:

Can't see how they can make it cope with modern F1 cars.

For me, that's the point: modern F1 cars have to cope with the track, not the other way round. Drivers might need some "skill", or even "restraint" heaven forbid.

I agree,just think of Lewis and Max side by side coming into Tarzan.



I remember Arnoux`s Renault suspension collapsing in the braking area for Tarzan,right in front of me. He just went straight on !!! he could have ended up in that grandstand. My son managed to pick up a piece of the bodywork.

[BVB]

Guysh! Dish ish great newsh!