Dutch Grand Prix boss Jan Lammers has played down the size of the obstacles Zandvoort still faces ahead of its 2020 Formula 1 return.
The circuit, which last welcomed the sport in 1985, is currently undergoing renovations to bring it in line with the necessary safety guidelines to obtain the Grade A licence from the FIA.
This includes upgrading pit and paddock facilities plus the reprofiling of some corners, including the long right-hander onto the pit straight which it has been revealed will feature 18-degree banking to ensure cars take it flat-out and also makes is steeper than Indianapolis.
“There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are working hard on that,” Lammers was quoted by PlanetF1 this week.
“Just like Max [Verstappen] doesn’t wonder if he can handle a Grand Prix, we think we can handle all the work. So I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people with the actual event next year.
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“At the end of September, you will see a lot of action here already and at the beginning of October this will continue, so before we set up the Christmas tree a lot of work has already been done.
“All the plans are ready and from an architectural point of view it is something that our partners can easily carry out with their expertise. So next year at this time there will be a beautiful circuit here.”
Given the very natural setting of Zandvoort amid the sand dunes looking into the North Sea, locals have voiced environmental concerns of F1 visiting the area.
However, the Dutch GP chief insists efforts are being made to limit the impact.
“I think it is going very well, we are satisfied with the way things are going,” he said.
“Everything that happens at the moment still falls within the framework of the controllable. Of course, you can’t know everything in advance, but we try to be as prepared as possible.
“For example, we have a disability with our access roads, but that leads to creativity. So our goal is to become the most sustainable Grand Prix of the calendar [with a plan to get people to the circuit by bike].
“Having said that, we are of course dealing with a municipality, province and government that are confronted with a Grand Prix they haven’t hosted for the last 35 years. So everyone is confronted with challenges and has to get used to it again.
“You just have to treat everyone’s agenda and responsibilities with respect. All of this is still going according to plan, so far so good. We don’t think lightly about it at all, but I have every confidence that we will experience a unique Grand Prix here. It will be an absolute festival.”
The provisional date for the 2020 Dutch GP is May 3rd.
