Formula 1 set for Zandvoort return
The success and popularity of Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen is set to trigger the return of the Dutch Grand Prix, with Zandvoort poised to replace Barcelona on the 2020 Formula 1 calendar.
Momentum has been building, in the wake of Verstappen’s recent success, for the world championship to return to the Netherlands for the first time since 1985 (above). A senior source has confirmed that a contract has been agreed between F1 and the Zandvoort promoter, but as of last week it had not yet been signed. If, as expected, Barcelona drops off the calendar, it would allow Liberty to put Zandvoort into the early-may slot ahead of Monaco.
Barcelona is one of five circuits with expiring contracts at the end of 2019, along with Silverstone, Hockenheim, Monza and Mexico City. All face financial challenges, but Barcelona is widely regarded as the most vulnerable after losing government support, and the Spanish GP would drop off the calendar if a Dutch round joins.
Officials at Zandvoort have one year in which to transform its circuit, currently hosting almost exclusively national and regional-level events, into an F1-standard venue. Last month, Zandvoort CEO Robert van Overdijk said the track held a “1-0 lead in stoppage time” in its bid to get onto the schedule, having first secured an exclusivity agreement with F1 that expired at the end of March.
But negotiating the deal’s final details will only be the end of one phase of reviving the race. Previously home to 30 world championship grands prix, Zandvoort’s only non-domestic events this year are the World Touring Car Cup and Blancpain GT, following the loss of the DTM and European Formula 3. Major work has been undertaken since the last of its F1 races, but Zandvoort remains very underdeveloped compared to the venues with which it would share the 2020 F1 calendar.
Unsurprisingly, the key area organisers must address if it is to become an appropriate F1 circuit again in barely a year is the track itself. The late Charlie Whiting said last year that Zandvoort would need “relatively minimal” changes to host F1 again but that there was “great potential” for the circuit.
As well as a longer start/finish straight for DRS purposes, it is understood that three corners would need extra runoff: Tarzanbocht (the first corner), Scheivlak (a fast right-hander) and Kumho (the penultimate right-hand turn). Tarzan and Kumho have large gravel traps on the outside, while Scheivlak also has one behind a narrow stretch of grass. Verstappen has also said that the layout would need some changes to allow the cars to follow better.
As well as transforming Zandvoort into a Grade 1 circuit that can host F1, further upgrades will need to be made to its facilities. The pit buildings and media centre have been updated but they are unlikely to be of an appropriate quality. Temporary stands will likely be erected as there is only one permanent grandstand on the start/finish straight,
plus the dunes that line the circuit.
To deal with logistical challenges, organisers are working on a ticketing plan that stops individual visitors travelling to the circuit by car. The idea is to encourage arrival by public transport or bike, or persuade spectators to stay locally to the circuit.
Serious investment will be required after the national government opted against supporting the race financially, although €4m of local funding has been secured. Motogp and DTM host venue Assen had also been lobbying for the right to revive the Dutch GP and had been considered a ready-made back-up should Zandvoort fail to find the funding.
But the Netherlands’ sports council published an open letter to the Dutch parliament, minister of sport and vice-minister of economic affairs – as well as the cities, circuits and provinces of Zandvoort and Assen, plus Formula One Management. Informed by conversations with both circuits and FOM, it stated that Assen is not an option, and implored the national government to get behind a Zandvoort F1 race.
That has not happened, and securing the necessary budget is one of several hurdles for Zandvoort bosses to clear with only one year until the race would be taking place. “In the Netherlands we are used to organising big events within a limited period of time,” said van Overdijk. “Organising is in our DNA, in almost every industry. So I’m not worried about that at all.”