By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
The Dutch Grand Prix is back on the Formula 1 calendar after a 35-year absence with a return to Zandvoort beginning in 2020.
A three-year deal was put together due to partnerships with SportVibes, TIG Sports and the Circuit Zandvoort. Additionally, longstanding Formula 1 partner Heineken will hold rights as the title sponsor for the event May event.
“We are particularly pleased to announce that Formula 1 is returning to race in the Netherlands, at the Zandvoort track,” said Chase Carey, CEO of Formula 1.
“From the beginning of our tenure in Formula 1, we said we wanted to race in new venues, while also respecting the sport’s historic roots in Europe. Next season therefore, we will have a brand new street race that will be held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, as well the return to Zandvoort, after an absence of 35 years; a track that has contributed to the popularity of the sport all over the world. In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in Formula 1 in Holland, mainly due to the enthusiastic support for the talented Max Verstappen, as seen from the sea of orange at so many races. No doubt this will be the dominant color in the Zandvoort grandstands next year.”
Next year will mark the 31st edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, which was first run in 1952 and won be Ferrari driver Alberto Ascari, who went on to win the title that same year. The legendary Jim Clark holds the most wins of the event with four.
“I am pleased to see that Zandvoort will be part of the proposed calendar for the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship, and thankful for the hard work of Formula 1 to bring the sport back to the Netherlands,” said Jean Todt, president of the FIA.
“It is a circuit with a long and impressive history of competition and is a great challenge for drivers, and with the popularity of Max Verstappen I’m sure there will be a huge number of fans in attendance. There is now a lot of preparation needed to bring the circuit up to the required safety standards to host a Formula 1 race, and we will work towards this together with Formula 1, KNAF – the Dutch ASN – and the circuit organisation.”
