F1. Zandvoort circuit manager Robert van Overdijk says 2025 might be the last Dutch GP but is hopeful for an extension. The negotiations are mainly about the financial challenges the circuit can no longer meet.
As we get closer to the end of the 2024 season the grid is getting closer to the Dutch GP at Zandvoort. Max’s favorite track, the chances this GP will be the last in 2025 are getting bigger every day.
Not everything is lost for the circuit, and circuit officials, including director Robert van Overdijk, are still hoping for an extension.
It might end soon.
One of the biggest challenges for the Zandvoort circuit is the budget allocated to the organization of the race. The circuit pays around 30 million euros a year to host the GP and is looking to negotiate an agreement that will be more financially viable for the continuation of the race. The increase in VAT and the projects that want to happen in the region are a danger for the circuit that wants to stay on the calendar.
One of the peculiarities of Zandvoort is that the government doesn’t provide financial or commercial support for the Dutch GP. That puts extra pressure on the director to get the fans to the GP. It’s clear the Netherlands has benefited from Max’s popularity in the last few years as he’s been champion since 2021. But with more races and more expensive tickets, Zandvoort doesn’t get as much attention as before.
According to Van Overdijk, the circuit manager, it seems it’s already partly agreed upon. If you ask factually, we will have the last race at Zandvoort in 2025. That doesn’t mean we won’t work hard in the coming months and talk to all kinds of people and parties, he told the media. But I don’t expect to see white smoke anytime soon. If all the pieces fall into place we will be very positive. It’s not guaranteed, he admits.
Don’t lose hope yet
Robert Van Overdijk says according to current information it seems the end of the GP in Zandvoort is very close if they don’t find a solution soon. But he also says an extension is being discussed. The real problems are financial but that’s also made worse by the stricter regulations for circuits.
The Dutch GP benefits from Max’s growing popularity which makes it more attractive. But the increase of races and the new GPs in the rich countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar puts extra pressure on the traditional events like Zandvoort.
One of the solutions proposed to keep Zandvoort on the calendar would be to do a bi-annual rotation. Already done in the past with the Nürburgring this would mean Zandvoort would be on the calendar every other year and another circuit would be on the calendar every year. That would reduce costs and have a contract over several years.
For now the circuit being considered is Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Zandvoort would be on the calendar one year and Spa-Francorchamps the following year. But despite the idea being perfect Spa-Francorchamps wants to keep its annual spot on the calendar so it doesn’t seem to be an option for now.
But talks with FOM are ongoing. Maybe they’ll find a solution. There’s still a chan_ce that all sides will come to a decision to continue holding the race past 2025.
