Dutch Grand Prix to make Formula 1 comeback as Zandvoort confirmed to return to F1 calendar in 2020

Image: Red Bull

Zandvoort will host the Dutch Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2020 onwards in a three-year deal, the FIA confirmed on Tuesday. It has been reported that this will replace the Spanish Grand Prix but that hasn’t yet been confirmed.

The circuit has hosted 30 Dutch Grands Prix and last hosted a world championship round in 1985. The first race took place in 1952 when Alberto Ascari took the victory. Jim Clark has won four grands prix at Zandvoort, holding the record ahead of Niki Lauda and Sir Jackie Stewart who have three wins each.

“We are particularly pleased to announce that Formula 1 is returning to race in the Netherlands, at the Zandvoort track,” said F1 chairman and CEO Chase Carey, describing the circuit as: “a track that has contributed to the popularity of the sport all over the world”.

“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. In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in Formula 1 in Holland, mainly due to the enthusiastic support for the talented Max Verstappen, 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.”

Zandvoort is the second track to be added to the 2020 calendar, after a race was confirmed for the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

Dutch Grand Prix: the last time F1 raced at Zandvoort

Image: Motorsport Images

Dutch Grand Prix sporting director Jan Lammers added: “The Zandvoort Circuit is legendary and known worldwide and we’re delighted to see it host a round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship once again.

“To meet the wishes of Formula 1 and the required standards of the FIA the circuit and infrastructure will be modernized within a few areas, with the work completed well ahead of the race in 2020. In addition, the municipality of Zandvoort has recently invested heavily to improve access to the municipality and the circuit.”

FIA president Jean Todt praised the history of the circuit and said: “With the popularity of Max Verstappen I’m sure there will be a huge number of fans in attendance. There is now a lot of preparation needed to bring the circuit up to the required safety standards to host a Formula 1 race, and we will work towards this together with Formula 1, KNAF – the Dutch ASN – and the circuit organisation.”

In recent years, Zandvoort has hosted Red Bull’s public Racing Days, which include live demonstrations of the team’s F1 cars. Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly discuss the track’s return to the F1 calendar velow.