Dutch Grand Prix organisers believe the future of the Formula 1 event at Zandvoort will be decided in the next three months, as they wait to understand if an option to extend the contract by two more years through to 2025 can be finalized.
The Dutch Grand Prix was not part of the Formula 1 calendar in almost 40 years, but Zandvoort returned in the previous F1 campaign, as a result of the wave of success being enjoyed by local favorite Max Verstappen.
It proved to be a great success for the sport, with the party-like atmosphere ramped up even more by a comfortable win for Max Verstappen last season in front of his own fans, on his way to the 2021 Formula 1 World title.
For the current season, the Dutch Grand Prix has been confirmed for early September and will be part of a triple-header with Belgium and Italy after the summer break, as the Dutch Grand Prix also has a deal available for the following campaign. From 2024, the future of the event is in doubt, despite the fact that there is a two-year option available with circuit director Robert van Overdijk explaining in a recent interview for De Telegraaf: “If it was up to Formula 1, we would sign a new contract right now.”
Yet the organisers are more circumspect because of several aspects that have to be taken into consideration.
“It is certainly not as easy as ABC.” – Robert Van Overdijk continued – “Just selling tickets is not enough. We are a 100% privately-financed event, so we also need the support of sponsors. In addition, the municipality of Zandvoort has been the only government party to be positive from day one. For us, it is obviously important this remains the case. All those talks have already started. We should also not forget we have only organised the event once.”
In case everything does fall into place, the Zandvoort director knows exactly when organisers will be able to provide more news.
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“I can make it clear that before the 2022 race, certainty will not be there yet,” Robert Van Overdijk added when asked about the future of the Dutch Grand Prix – “We will first concentrate on the upcoming edition. After that, we will intensify the talks. We expect – and it is not a hard deadline – that we will have clarity on that around November 1st. Don’t go calling me on October 30th though – we expect to have clarity in early November.” – he said.
Robert van Overdijk is still confident the Zandvoort event will continue on the Formula 1 calendar at least until the 2025 season: “Let’s say, first of all, we are in fantastic shape. However, we still have both feet on the ground. Let’s have a fantastic edition again this year. We have already started discussions with our main sponsors. We are probably less worried about ticket sales. Of course, 2022 is sold out and 2023 is sold out completely. In terms of tickets coming onto the market, it will be a very limited pick.” – he concluded.
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