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Zandvoort to press ahead with Dutch GP bid

Published on 11 Nov 2017 16:18
11
By: Fergal Walsh

Zandvoort is a viable host of a relaunched Dutch Grand Prix. That is the claim of the source Dutch News, reporting that there are "no insurmountable organisational, technical or logistical reasons" why F1 cannot race again at the former Dutch GP venue.

Amid claims the Netherlands wants to capitalise on Max Verstappen's meteoric popularity and success, Zandvoort's council and track owners commissioned research to be carried out by a company called Decisio. Decisio's subsequent report said Zandvoort needs some work: "It would have to be done if more than 100,000 people come, but it's doable," said a spokesman.

The next step is to find investors, but Zandvoort owner and Dutch prince Bernhard van Oranje said actually organising the Grand Prix will take some time: "The adaptations and infrastructure can be dealt with in a year, but we still have to form a consortium and get on the calendar. I'm not going to make any estimations."

F1 News Max Verstappen

Replies (11)

Danimal5981

Posts: 585
The circuit is too short and too old. Like Bernhard I do not worry about the infrastructure: Amsterdam is near, so is Haarlem and Schiphol Airport. But I do not see an added value to another European GP - the only possibility would be to replace an existing GP, or take turns with Belgium at the expense of the fantastic Spa.
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- Nov 11 2017 - 16:35
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree about the qualities of the circuit, it just isnt ready to host an F1 race. I think the run offs look inadequate. About the value it could add.. Well, it could take turns hosting GPs with tracks that are struggling financially, like the Italian GP, or a British GP.
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  Nov 11 2017 - 16:56
- RogerF1
  
  Posts: 501
  Shame on you, hands off Silverstone. Hope you're not saying that just because of Brexit ;-)
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  Nov 11 2017 - 23:18
- JeanLuc Picard
  
  Posts: 327
  Circuit is old indeed but so is silverstone, both with an history. I’m Dutch, let’s see what happens although I don’t expect the inhabitants of Zantvoort, especially the ones buying a new built house close to the circuit agreeing to 3 days of noise
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  Nov 12 2017 - 01:18
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Me, Roger? Oh I'd never! :3 No, what makes me say that is because British tracks seem to be out of funds, and the British gov seem unwilling to help out. So it makes sense to unite with other European tracks so that we can retain tracks like Silverstone. I'd rather have Silverstone every 2nd or 3rd year than to miss out on it entirely. :)
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  Nov 12 2017 - 10:10
- RogerF1
  
  Posts: 501
  Yes Calle it surprises me with the funding, have attended several British GP's over the years and even as they have given over so much trackside to expensive hospitality it still doesn't pay and I doubt that even a doubled entry fee will make up the deficit. Solely for me the price they have to pay to stage is too high and that will not change if it comes every 2 or 3 years. F1 take too much out, like any commercial venture, if you take bleed something dry and do not re-invest it dies. Sadly.
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  Nov 12 2017 - 23:26
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Thing is, that might not necessarily be. Liberty has actually been pretty lenient on how much they want historic tracks to pay, unlike the vampire, and if e.g Silverstone were to combine their budget with a better funded venue, it could very well be enough so that their races could be sustainable to host every now and then. The problem as I see it is that the European countries takes having F1 for granted, without realising what an opportunity it is to make money longterm by investing cash short term.
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  Nov 13 2017 - 20:46
Hombibi

Posts: 137
I hope they make it. Everything regarding track or infra can be solved, it is only technology, and I think it is only up to the investors to decide if it is financially worthwhile.

Oh, and "Not seeing added value" is hardly a reason not to do anything, but merely a lack of vision wouldn't you say? :-).

As far as I am concerned I think they should race every week. I'd watch that, and maybe I'd have some chances to attend a race or two.
I am convinced it is possible: Drivers spend less than an hour a week in the car, and I don't even think they make 52 hours in the year. So they fill up their time with off track activities: fitness, simulator work, PR, etc. 99% of it is invisible for us, so it does not generate any income, it is essentially a wasted opportunity.

Adding Zandvoort to the list is a good step, add more!
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- Nov 13 2017 - 10:18
Barron

Posts: 625
For today’s F1 cars, Zandvoort would be a disaster. Salt air & sand will destroy the delicate PU’s in a heartbeat, and I understand even the locals hate the track. I quite like the layout and elevation changes but quite apart from the above, it’s far too narrow for F1 cars of today.
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- Nov 13 2017 - 11:53
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  By the way, the way, no British Govt will ever subsidise F1 and that is entirely correct. In fact it may even be against EU regulations, but don’t tell the French haha! ?
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  Nov 13 2017 - 11:56
- Hombibi
  
  Posts: 137
  I heard locals love the track, which would explain why it is now considered for an F1 race again.
  
  Making the track wider is just civil engineering, not rocket science.
  
  Sotchi is next to the sea, so are circuits of Singapore, Melbourne, Monaco, Montreal and Bahrain to name a few. Aren't you mistaken with another sport?
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  Nov 13 2017 - 16:23