The last time
The return from vacation will certainly be very special for Max Verstappen, especially from an emotional point of view. The F1 world championship calendar actually provides for the resumption of hostilities right on the home track of the four-time world champion, at Zandvoort. The fates of Red Bull’s #3 and the orange track have always been intertwined and it could be the same this time: the Dutch circuit returned to the calendar following the Verstappen effect and – also due to the Covid pandemic that hit the planet in 2020 – the first race of the ‘new Zandvoort’ was held in 2021, precisely the year of Verstappen’s first world title achieved also thanks to the home victory in front of an adoring crowd.
Read more Ferrari: future tests for the 499P at Monza ahead of the updates expected in 2027
Despite six sold-out editions, however, this year’s – with the tasty addition of the Sprint race – will be the last edition of the Dutch Grand Prix in F1. The costs for organizing the event are too high, estimated at about 100 million euros and of which – according to the weekly Autosprint – as many as 70 are related to seasonal operating costs: grandstand setup, transport logistics, security, entertainment events. Not even the idea of alternating races with nearby Spa was enough to convince the organizers of the Dutch race to try to keep their place on the calendar.
Read more Special helmet also for Hadjar in Zandvoort in memory of his first podium
Different fates
Here, however, the fates with Max Verstappen – who will not coincidentally use a commemorative helmet during this weekend – could diverge. The Hasselt champion, who has won three of the five GPs held at Zandvoort, is in fact expected to define his future and it is not excluded that an official announcement on the matter will come precisely at his home race. So far Verstappen has always refused to publicly confirm what he will do in 2027, leaving the door open to the possibility of a sabbatical year and a change of team. However, right now the most likely option seems to be his stay at Red Bull and an announcement on the matter could come precisely during the Zandvoort weekend. Because if his home track is now ready to exit the scene, Verstappen could instead decide to give us his magic for a little longer.
Read more Honda pride before the ADUO engine: “Aston Martin has never complained to us. We never gave up”
