Inside the Dutch GP

The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021 after an absence of nearly six years largely driven by the rising popularity of Max Verstappen. Initially, the race was scheduled for 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers declined to hold the event behind closed doors without spectators.

The right to host the Dutch Grand Prix was contested between Assen and Zandvoort, though Zandvoort had the advantage from the outset. Motorsport events began there in the late 1930s, and following the Second World War, the circuit layout was developed with the help of John Hugenholtz. The first Zandvoort Grand Prix took place in 1948, and from 1952, the event became a regular part of the Formula 1 calendar. Legendary drivers such as Jim Clark, Niki Lauda, and now Max Verstappen have all claimed victories at this track.

Formula 1 left Zandvoort in 1985, though the circuit continued to be used in national and international racing series. Spurred by growing interest in motorsport and Verstappen’s success, investors approved a full-scale reconstruction of the circuit. The redesign was handled by Italian firm Dromo Circuit Design. Architect Jarno Zaffelli highlighted the track’s unique characteristics: sandy dunes, strong coastal winds, and its distinctive banked corners. Some turns, such as Hugenholtzbocht and Arie Luyendykbocht, feature banking angles of up to 18 degrees, with the final corner allowing drivers to deploy DRS on the exit.

The modern layout is based on the configuration used between 1980 and 1985. The circuit is 4,259 meters long, making it the second shortest on the calendar after Monaco. The race spans 72 laps, totaling a distance of 306.648 kilometers.The track features a mix of high-speed and low-speed corners and requires a setup that favors medium to high downforce. Due to the limited number of heavy braking zones, recovering energy through the MGU-K system is challenging, while the steeply banked corners place additional stress on the tires.