Zandvoort Bids Farewell to Formula 1: The Final Race
After a 36-year hiatus and a triumphant return in 2021, the legendary Dutch circuit hosts its last Grand Prix this weekend, featuring the debut of the sprint format and a tight title battle.
After a 36-year hiatus and a triumphant return in 2021, the legendary Dutch circuit hosts its last Grand Prix this weekend, featuring the debut of the sprint format and a tight title battle.
Formula 1 bids farewell to the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend. From August 21 to 23, the Zandvoort circuit, nestled along the North Sea coast, will host its final race before dropping off the calendar, as promoters have decided not to extend the contract beyond 2026.
Zandvoort was a Formula 1 classic from 1952 to 1985, and after a 36-year break, it returned to the calendar in 2021. The comeback was a direct result of the Max Verstappen phenomenon; the Red Bull driver's popularity in his home country generated unprecedented commercial interest.
From 2021 to 2023, Verstappen delighted his fans with three consecutive victories. The last two editions went to McLaren drivers: Lando Norris triumphed in 2024, and Oscar Piastri in 2025. Despite its immense success, BBC Sport reports that organizers failed to make the event financially sustainable and decided not to continue hosting F1.
Zandvoort is 4.3 kilometers long and winds through the dunes, creating a roller-coaster sensation, as Pierre Gasly once described it. Its most distinctive features are the banked corners, especially the third (Hugenholtz) and the fourteenth (Arie Luyendijkbocht), which, with an 18-degree incline, allow cars to maintain remarkable speed.
The lap record still belongs to Lewis Hamilton with a time of 1:11.097 from 2021, and the demanding layout requires precision and a stable car at high speeds.
The Dutch Grand Prix will host a sprint format for the first time in its history. Qualifying for the sprint takes place on Friday, Saturday morning brings the sprint race, and the afternoon features traditional qualifying for the main Sunday race.
Zandvoort comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris in an upgraded McLaren secured his first victory of the season. In the drivers' standings, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli leads with a 50-point advantage over teammate Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes sits confidently atop the constructors' standings with 379 points, ahead of Ferrari (307) and McLaren (220).
What makes the Dutch Grand Prix special is not just the track but also the fans. The "Orange Army" has become a global phenomenon, and hundreds of thousands of fans in orange are expected to create an atmosphere akin to a football stadium. The highlight will be a performance by Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.
Given that this is a farewell race and the first sprint event, weekend tickets sold out months in advance, and accommodation in Zandvoort and nearby towns like Haarlem and Amsterdam is fully booked. Car access during the weekend is completely banned, with trains from Amsterdam running every five to ten minutes.
Croatian viewers can follow the Dutch Grand Prix from August 23 to 25 on RTL channels and the Voyo platform. Pirelli brings the middle range of tire compounds for the track: C2, C3, and C4, while the weather forecast predicts unstable conditions with possible light rain on Friday and Saturday, and a sunny Sunday.
