ZANDVOORT - REVITALISED

This summer, an old beast will be awoken.

It’s been almost four decades since the Dutch Grand Prix was on the Formula 1 calendar. Niki Lauda won the race from Alain Prost by just over two-tenths of a second after 70 laps. The only Dutch entry, Huub Rothengatter, qualified in last and wasn’t classified after finishing 14 laps behind the leaders.

Since that race, the Netherlands has fielded five Dutch drivers on the Formula 1 grid. But for the four that preceded

Max Verstappen, they only scored 17 championship points between them – and they were all scored by Max’s father, Jos.

But that’s all changed. Since Max’s maiden win in his first ever race with Red Bull Racing, Orange fever erupted in Formula 1. Pumping drum-and-bass to a backdrop of smoke flares and orange t-shirts has become a regular sight at European races. But that dedicated fan base has been rewarded, with its own party on home soil.

The beach resort of Zandvoort will rise from the ashes this summer, providing spectacle both on and off the track. This fast-paced circuit is epitomised by its steeply-banked final corner – a unique sight in Formula 1.

Should Max Verstappen be able to keep his Red Bull in control on the way to a victory, we may well see celebrations on a scale unseen in F1 before.

When the event was relaunched for the 2020 season, demand was off-the-scale. Dutch fans snapped up the grandstand tickets in minutes. But with plans re-arranged and the return now set for September, tickets have now become available for the race.

As European travel begins to open up once again, and Amsterdam right on Zandvoort’s doorstep, there won’t be a better race to escape to this summer.