Williams driver George Russell claims Formula 1 is only hosting a Dutch Grand Prix next year because of Max Verstappen.
2020 will see the sport return to Zandvoort for the first time in 35 years but questions are being asked about whether the tight circuit will be suitable for modern cars.
Tweaks to the layout are being made to try and address those concerns, but that isn’t stopping Russell from making this worrying prediction.
“I love Zandvoort. For pure tracks just to drive, it’s probably in my top five favourites in the world,” he was quoted by GPFans.com.
“But racing, it’s going to be just as bad as Monaco.
“Everybody knows what to expect when they come to Monaco, they know what to expect when we go to Australia, overtaking is going to be limited. Now, Zandvoort will be added to the list, we just need to accept the fact.”
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Indeed, Russell believes the Dutch GP, while offering Liberty Media the chance to say they are respecting the sport’s history, is more about a commercial opportunity.
“We’re going there for, well, for Max pretty much and the Dutch fans, but Formula 1 wouldn’t be what it is without the fans so we need to appreciate that,” he conceded.
“It’s an amazing circuit. I truly hope they don’t get rid of the gravel because that’s what makes the circuit so daunting to drive around. But it’s going to going to be nigh-on impossible to race.”