Stats and facts for 2022 Dutch Grand Prix | Formula 1 Zandvoort stats. Formula 1 Zandvoort stats.

DUTCH GP CIRCUIT STATS

It’s one of the most iconic Formula 1 tracks, located in the dunes on the North Sea coast, featuring spectacular drops and climbs: obviously, we are referring to the Zandvoort circuit, which as from last year once again hosts the Dutch Grand Prix.

First used in 1948, it originally featured a layout using a mix of public roads and a fast permanent track. The first Formula 1 World Championship race was held there in 1952 and was won by Alberto Ascari, driving a Ferrari car. For thirty years the Dutch round was at Zandvoort, the last time being in 1985 and now, 35 years on, it makes a return.

The current Zandvoort layout is 4.252 kilometres long and the race will run over 72 laps, making a total distance of 306.144km. It remains an old-skool track where a perfect lap requires courage and precision, making it a real favourite with drivers and fans, despite the fact overtaking is pretty difficult.

The return of the Zandvoort Circuit in the Formula 1 World Championship has involved plenty of work at Zandvoort, mainly to the infrastructure to meet the current quality and safety standards. The main change to the track itself has been a remodelled final turn, which is now parabolic with an 18 degree banking, where the current F1 cars will reach very high speeds, with the DRS open, leading to overtaking opportunities down the main straight and into the first corner.

Formula One returned to Zandvoort last year for the first time since 1985, but Ferrari’s heritage in the Netherlands stretches even further back. Various parts of the new and improved track layout emulate Silverstone’s fast-paced sweep of Maggots and Becketts, as well asSpa-Francorchamps’ Eau Rogue and Raidillon.

The history of the circuit dates back to 1939. A local street race at the time proved to be a success, and Mayor H. van Alphen saw the potential to boost the town’s fortunes with a permanent racing facility. While the outbreak of World War II put a hold on the plans, the Mayor continued to quietly plan the circuit in the background. After the war, the Dutch Automobile Racing Club then helped to form the initial layout. Zandvoort later became a regular fixture of the Formula One Championship in 1952, and after a few absences in between, the final Formula One race of the previous circuit incarnation was held in 1985.

Despite a long absence from the World Championship schedule, Zandvoort has still played host to some of the most iconic moments in Formula One history. In the 1979 Dutch Grand Prix, for example, Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve memorably went flat-out… on three wheels. After fighting his way into the lead of the race, a slow puncture of his left-rear tyre eventually ended in the compound exploding. Despite spinning off, the Canadian got his Ferrari car back on the track, and drove back to the pitlane with one arm raised to warn the drivers behind him, showing amazing car control.

The 1983 race featured the dramatic moment in which title rivals Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet collided while battling for the lead.

Win – drivers

Win – Constructors