Formula 1 commercial director Sean Bratches is prioritising the return of the Dutch Grand Prix but is targeting a street race over visiting one of the countries well-known racetracks.
A race in Holland for the first time in over three decades is becoming a no-brainer for F1 bosses as the meteoric rise of Max Verstappen has sent interest in the sport through the roof in recent years.
Most circuits on the calendar now typically house sections of orange and the nearby Belgian Grand Prix enjoyed its highest attendance in years in August thanks to the phenomena he has become.
Though former host venue Zandvoort and the current site for MotoGP at Assen were both anticipated to be the likely options, Liberty Media has once again focussed instead on their vision for a festival-type event in the heart of a major city.
Bratches was reported by Autosport as recently in Holland meeting with officials to discuss the viability of a race either in Amsterdam or the port city of Rotterdam, with the latter having previously hosted street demonstrations.
Though the thought of not resurrecting a classic circuit like Zandvoort, which would need significant renovation to host today’s F1, may disappoint some, given the passion the Dutch fans would generate at a street circuit, Red Bull boss Christian Horner was thrilled at the thought.
“Street races are always fun – they always have big crowds and big atmospheres,” he told the British publication.
“Obviously the amount of support there is behind Max in Holland at the moment means it would bring the country to a stop, so you can only imagine it being something huge. So as long as the venue and the track layout work, then why not?”
