Max Verstappen’s home race under threat if Zandvoort doesn’t solve major problem

The Dutch GP has been a commercial success since its return to F1 in 2021 as Max Verstappen's home race.

Max Verstappen’s home race under threat if Zandvoort doesn’t solve major problem

Max Verstappen, Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP (images via IMAGO)

The Dutch GP returned to Formula 1 in 2021 after a massive gap of 36 years. Local hero Max Verstappen played a crucial factor in the sport’s return to Holland. The three-time world champion has won all three races held at the Zandvoort circuit. However, the fan-favorite race could be at risk of losing its place on the F1 calendar.

Zandvoort’s current contract to host the Dutch GP extends till 2025. The organizers and F1 have not yet reached a new agreement despite ongoing negotiations. The sport has demanded that the circuit will need to modernize to stay on the calendar. The narrow pitlane is believed to be the biggest obstacle in the renewal for Max Verstappen‘s home race.

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The tight pitlane on the track has caused difficulties in the past. Although, expansion works have been underway at Zandvoort.  Zandvoort circuit manager, Robert van Overdijk recently declared that the Formula One Management (FOM) and the FIA had made it clear that the Dutch GP will only continue if this issue was resolved.

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FOM and FIA clearly said that if we wanted to continue being on the calendar we would have had to solve the problem.

Robert van Overdijk said on ZFM Zandvoort (H&T: FormulaPassion.it)

Dutch GP circuit manager takes a dig at F1 races in ‘oil states’

Formula 1 has rapidly expanded in recent years including more races in the Middle-East. The sport has signed lucrative long-term deals for the Qatar GP and the Saudi Arabia GP. Van Overdijk mentioned that unlike these ‘oil states,’ the Netherlands could not negotiate big deals with the sport.

We are not an oil state, where contracts can be easily extended for ten or twelve years.
Robert van Overdijk stated
Aerial shot of the F1 Saudi Arabian GP main straight
Aerial shot of the F1 Saudi Arabian GP main straight (Via IMAGO)

The Zandvoort circuit manager claimed that it would take a few more months before the two sides could agree on a renewal. However, Robert van Overdijk made it clear that F1 was interested in continuing the race. All the past three iterations of the Dutch GP since were sold out due to Max Verstappen’s enormous popularity.

We need a few more months before we can make this decision. But it is clear that FOM would like to continue coming here.
Robert van Overdijk concluded

The Dutch GP remains one of the lucrative F1 races in Europe. Max Verstappen’s orange army covers the stands in orange every race. As such, there should not be further delays in the race’s renewal once the pitlane is extended. Certainly, Dutch fans will continue to flock to Zandvoort to watch the local hero for the time to come.

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