Formulation 1 will return from its summer season break with an emotional event, because the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is about to be the ultimate Formulation 1 race at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future.
Following the summer season break, Formulation 1 returns at one of the crucial distinctive venues on the calendar. Nestled among the many sand dunes on the North Coastline, Zandvoort’s slim ribbon of asphalt, dramatic banking and old-school character have produced among the sport’s most memorable weekends since its return.
Whereas the circuit’s Formulation 1 future has come to an finish for now, the drivers made it clear that its impression extends far past the racing itself. The occasion has change into famend for its pageant environment, packed grandstands and passionate followers, setting a typical that many more recent Grands Prix have sought to emulate.
Forward of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race earlier than the summer season shutdown, reigning world champion Max Verstappen, championship chief Lando Norris and Mercedes star Andrea Kimi Antonelli mirrored on the circuit’s impending departure from the Formulation 1 calendar, praising each the distinctive structure and the passionate environment created by Dutch followers.
Verstappen: “It is my dwelling Grand Prix”
For Verstappen, the race holds particular significance as Formulation 1 prepares to bid farewell to his dwelling occasion. Whereas dissatisfied to see it depart the calendar, the four-time world champion pressured that Zandvoort’s legacy will stay.
“In fact, we have identified this now for some time,” Verstappen mentioned. “It is my dwelling Grand Prix, so for positive I will take pleasure in it so much. Hopefully driving-wise a bit greater than I did this weekend, a minimum of.”
The Purple Bull driver additionally identified that though Formulation 1 is leaving, the enduring circuit itself is just not disappearing.
“We cannot have a Formulation 1 Grand Prix there, however there are a whole lot of different collection that also race there, and if you wish to have a monitor day, the monitor is just not going to vanish.”
“For me, I am going to nonetheless have my enjoyable driving round there, simply not in Formulation 1, however that is okay. I simply wish to take pleasure in it with the followers,” continued the Dutchman.
Verstappen additionally praised the organisers for remodeling Zandvoort into considered one of Formulation 1’s showcase occasions after its return to the calendar in 2021.
“It is extremely spectacular what they’ve performed to deliver it again, and I believe, on the time after they hosted the primary one, it was an important instance for lots of different Grands Prix as properly of learn how to host and entertain.”
Whereas accepting the choice, he admitted it stays disappointing: “It is a disgrace, however alternatively, the monitor’s nonetheless there and I am positive I’ll do extra laps round there. So, it’s what it’s.”**
Norris hails considered one of Formulation 1’s finest atmospheres
McLaren’s Lando Norris echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, describing Zandvoort as considered one of his favorite venues on the calendar. Having raced there since his Formulation 3 days, Norris believes the circuit has at all times stood out.
“Like Max says, it is a disgrace as a result of it is a enjoyable race. It is filled with McLaren followers! It is only a cool monitor. Since I’ve pushed there in Formulation 3, it was one of the crucial thrilling, completely different layouts that you’ve on the calendar, and in Formulation 1 it is a fairly loopy monitor.”
Like Verstappen, Norris believes the Dutch Grand Prix established a benchmark for different promoters: “They set a very good commonplace for what a Formulation 1 race weekend needs to be.”
He additionally paid tribute to the well-known “Orange Military”, whose assist has change into synonymous with the Dutch Grand Prix.
“The Dutch followers are simply loopy, in a great way. They make a whole lot of noise, they wish to have a enjoyable weekend, and it simply brings an important environment to the race itself.”
Whereas most supporters naturally cheer for Verstappen, Norris says he has at all times loved loads of backing himself. He added that few circuits provide a spectacle fairly like Zandvoort from behind the wheel.
“I do know the bulk are there for Max, however there are at all times a whole lot of followers there for me as properly, and a whole lot of them assist me. It is an important environment, particularly if you’re driving by way of among the corners, to see all of the followers and the smoke and all of this stuff. It at all times places a smile in your face.”
Though hopeful the Dutch Grand Prix might finally return in some kind, Norris admitted it’s unhappy to see it disappear.
“It is a disgrace. You by no means know, perhaps at some point it comes again and there is one other Dutch Grand Prix someplace. However it’s one I take pleasure in so much,” mentioned Norris.
Antonelli: “An unbelievable monitor”
Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli additionally joined the tributes, regardless of enduring a troublesome weekend at Zandvoort throughout his first Formulation 1 go to final 12 months.
“It is an important monitor, a whole lot of enjoyable, regardless that I did not have a very good expertise final 12 months.”
The Italian believes the circuit is among the many most rewarding for drivers, notably over a single qualifying lap. Antonelli additionally praised the passion of the Dutch crowd.
“From a pure driving viewpoint, it is an unbelievable monitor, particularly in qualifying. It’s totally thrilling. Each of the followers are nice, very passionate, make a whole lot of noise. It is cool to see. So, in fact, it is a disgrace, however there’s nothing we are able to do about it.”
