Dutch Grand Prix: Track and Statistics

The Dutch Grand Prix is ​​back on the calendar for the 2021 season, almost six years after the idea was born out of the popularity of Max Verstappen. The return could have happened a year earlier, but in 2020 the promoters refused to hold the podium behind closed doors, without spectators in the stands, due to Covid-19.

The owners of two circuits formally competed for the right to host the Dutch Grand Prix – in Assen and Zandvoort, but Zandvoort always had the advantage.

Races were already being held at these locations in the late 1930s, and after the war the head of the Royal Dutch Automobile Club, John Hugenholtz, invited the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sammy Davis, and, taking into account the landscape and already built-up areas, he developed the configuration of the race track.

The first Grand Prix of Zandvoort took place on 7 August 1948, the victory went to the Thai prince Bir in a Maserati. The race soon became a national Grand Prix and since 1952 it has been included in the Formula 1 calendar. Pilots liked to come to the North Sea coast – much depended on the skill of the driver here. The Grand Prix was almost always interesting: Jim Clark won it four times and Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda won it three times.

Formula 1 left Zandvoort in 1985, various options for further use of the circuit were considered, ultimately deciding to maintain its sporting profile – and stages of local and international series continued to take place.

Given the popularity of Max Verstappen, Zandvoort contacted the agency with the request to calculate the payback period of the stage. The figures obtained convinced investors – and construction equipment appeared on the route again.

The reconstruction was entrusted to the Italian company Dromo Circuit Design – they modernized the historic circuit, maintained Zandvoort’s recognition and brought it into line with modern Formula 1 standards.

Jarno ZaffelliDromo chief architect: “Zandvoort has its own characteristics. This is the first time we are working on a track built on sand. Dunes, strong wind, profiled corner. I can compare this circuit with Suzuka, which is no coincidence; they were both designed by John Hugenholtz.

The third turn is named after Hugenholtz. Racers can complete it at full speed. The bank angle there is greater than 18 degrees – I wonder which route they will choose. This is a twist for the bravest!

Many were skeptical about the return of Formula 1 to Zandvoort, they said overtaking was impossible here, but that’s why we were invited to change that. I’m convinced that in the end everyone will be happy.”

Features of the route

The current configuration of the Zandvoort circuit is the fifth to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix and is based on the version used between 1980 and 1985. The classic acceleration-braking route with its own characteristics.

The lap length is 4259 meters, this is the shortest circuit on the calendar after Monaco. The racers will have to drive 72 laps, the race distance is 306.648 km.

The Zandvoort circuit runs clockwise and comprises 14 corners, including two profiled corners – Arie Luyendykbocht and Hugenholtzbocht – they have a gradient of 32% (18 degrees, almost twice as much as in Indianapolis). In the design phase, the Arie Luyendykbocht corner could be taken with different trajectory options with open DRS, promising a spectacular fight, but at the last moment the FIA ​​excluded it from the second DRS zone.

The aerodynamics are tuned for medium downforce. The combination of slow corners and high-speed sections requires the traditional compromise between downforce and speed. Due to the small number of serious brakes, achieving effective energy recovery with the MGU-K will not be easy. In profiled corners, the load on the tires is high. The wear on the brakes is low.

Weekend Schedule

You can follow the progress of all Formula 1 sessions on our live broadcast page. We have written instructions on how to watch live video broadcasts.

Tire sets issued to teams for the weekend

Pirelli will bring the hardest tyre compounds to Zandvoort (except for the reserve and no C0 used anywhere). Teams will receive C1, C2 and C3 tyres in the Hard, Medium and Soft categories. This combination was used in Bahrain, Barcelona and Silverstone this year.

One set of Soft tyres must be saved for the final qualifying session, after which those who took part in the final must return this set to Pirelli.

One set of medium and hard tyres must be saved for the race. Unless declared wet, drivers are required to use at least one of these sets.

Max Verstappen: “The race in Zandvoort will be special for me because I will be racing for my fans. It was great to see how many fans supported us in Austria and Belgium and I hope we can put on a great show for everyone in the stands at Zandvoort this weekend.

“If we talk about the circuit, it won’t be easy to overtake there, but we will have fun with a fast lap in qualifying. The speeds in qualifying will be high, every mistake can be costly. It would of course be incredibly cool to win there, for the Oranje army.”

Dutch Grand Prix: All stages

Absolutely all Dutch Grands Prix are covered on F1News.ru as part of our historic project…