The Last Show
After the Hungaroring weekend, Formula 1 has started its ‘holiday’ period which will continue until August 23, the day of the twelfth race of the season at the Zandvoort circuit, in the Netherlands. A GP that will also include the Sprint, but at the same time will have a special flavor for the many fans of Max Verstappen who will arrive in the stands of a track overlooking the North Sea: this will be the ‘last Dutch Grand Prix. From 2027, in fact, the event will no longer be on the calendar.
Read more Winless season as reigning world champions: Norris avoids risk in Hungary
The Orange Story
First included in 1952, the year Alberto Ascari won, the Zandvoort layout has been modified several times over the years, with the track featuring some memorable sections such as the first corner, still better known today as the Tarzan corner. Yet, due to the decline of the facility, the last race was held in 1985, with the circuit remaining away from F1 for a long time until the new project realized in 2019, decisive for the Circus’s return the following year. The comeback generated a real success, boosted by the home idol Verstappen (winner here from 2021 to 2023), with the contract signed with F1 until this season. But from 2027, however, the circuit will remain empty.
Co-owner of the track, Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau was the one who pushed most for the return of F1 to the Netherlands, although he recently decided to give up all his activities, including those related to the circuit: “With Zandvoort we had a huge impact. In two directions: towards the Netherlands and the world, and towards sport – he explained in an interview with Formule1.nl – with the Netherlands we have shown what we are capable of in the broadest sense of the term, from achievements to fans. For years we organized the best Formula 1 event in the history of Formula 1. This would never have been possible without our orange fans, by the way. They were incredibly wonderful years. The Dutch Grand Prix was a magnificent calling card for the Netherlands. Before Formula 1 came to the Netherlands, many thought we were crazy. Many said: you shouldn’t want it, you will fail. But we made it anyway. I consider the circuit a national heritage, to which we have added a new chapter with the return of Formula 1. Now it is time for the next chapters.”
Read more Russell and that first time in a Mercedes: “I couldn’t get into the cockpit, I still have the scar”
