Formula 1’s worst-kept secret is finally out that the sport will be back at Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix in 2020.
Last held at the historic venue in 1985, interest has exploded in the Netherlands since the arrival of Max Verstappen in 2014 and Liberty Media were not going to miss out on that opportunity.
“We are particularly pleased to announce that Formula 1 is returning to race in the Netherlands, at the Zandvoort track,” said CEO Chase Carey.
“From the beginning of our tenure in Formula 1, we said we wanted to race in new venues, while also respecting the sport’s historic roots in Europe.
“Next season, therefore, we will have a brand new street race that will be held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, as well as the return to Zandvoort after an absence of 35 years; a track that has contributed to the popularity of the sport all over the world.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in Formula 1 in Holland as seen from the sea of orange at so many races. No doubt this will be the dominant colour in the Zandvoort grandstands next year.”
Opinions are mixed on the return to the circuit mostly over fears the changes to meet current safety standards could impact the character of Zandvoort as well as a lack of overtaking on the narrow layout.
Perhaps unsurprisingly though, Verstappen is delighted to now have effectively two home races thanks to his Dutch and Belgian roots.
“I’m very excited for the Dutch Grand Prix to return. I think you will see a lot of Dutch fans around the track in the dunes,” he said.
“I’ve done a bit of driving there before. It’s a very beautiful and historic track, so yes, it’s definitely going to be a good one.
“It’s a very challenging track and, you know, old-school. A bit like Suzuka, because it’s designed actually by the same person.
“I think, with F1 cars, it’s gonna be really, really quick.”
Last week it was claimed the Spanish Grand Prix would be the victim but the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya president suggested there was a “90 per cent chance” it would stay in 2020.
