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 arose amid Max Verstappen’s popularity. The return could have taken place a year earlier, but in 2020 the promoters refused to hold the podium behind closed doors, with no spectators in the stands.

For the right to host the Dutch Grand Prix, the owners of two circuits formally fought – in Assen and Zandvoort, but Zandvoort always had an advantage.

In the late 1930s, races began to be held in these places, and after the war, the head of the Dutch Royal Automobile Club, John Hugenholtz, invited the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sammy Davis, and he developed, taking into account taking into account the landscape and sections already built, the configuration of the circuit.

The first Grand Prix of Zandvoort took place on August 7, 1948, the victory went to the Thai prince Bira in a Maserati. The race soon became a national Grand Prix and has been registered on the Formula 1 calendar since 1952. Pilots loved coming to the North Sea coast – much depended on the driver’s skill here. The Grand Prix almost always proved to be interesting, Jim Clark winning it four times and Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda three each.

Formula 1 left Zandvoort in 1985, several options were considered for the further use of the track, with the result that they decided to keep the sport profile – and it was still home to the stages of local and international series.

Against the background of Max Verstappen’s popularity in Zandvoort, they turned to the agency with a request to calculate the payback period of the stage. The obtained figures convinced investors – and construction equipment appeared on the track again.

The reconstruction was entrusted to the Italian company Dromo Circuit Design – they modernized the historic circuit, while maintaining Zandvoort’s recognition, and bringing it up to modern Formula 1 standards.

Jarno Zaffellic, chief architect of Dromo: “Zandvoort has its own characteristics. For the first time, we are working on a track built on sand. Dunes, strong wind, profiled bend. I can compare this circuit to Suzuka, which is no coincidence – they were both designed by John Hugenholz.

Turn three is named after Hugenholtz. Riders can cross it at full speed. The angle of inclination there is greater than 18 degrees – I wonder which trajectory they will choose. This is a turn for the most daring!

Many were skeptical about the return of Formula 1 to Zandvoort, saying it was impossible to overtake here, but we were invited to change that. I am convinced that in the end everyone will be happy.”

Track features

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

The lap length is 4259 meters, it is the shortest track on the calendar after Monaco. Racers have to complete 72 laps, the distance of the race is 306,648 km.

The Zandvoort track turns clockwise and includes 14 turns, including two profiled – Arie Luyendyk and Hugenholtz – they have a gradient of 32% (18 degrees, almost twice as much as in Indianapolis). The Arie Luyendyk corner could have been run with several track options with the DRS open at the design stage, promising a spectacular fight, but at the last minute the FIA ​​ruled it out of the second DRS zone.

Aerodynamics are set 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 braking actions, it will not be easy to achieve efficient energy recovery with the MGU-K. In profiled corners, the load on the rubber is high. Brake wear is minor.

Weekend schedule

You can follow the progress of all Formula 1 sessions on our live streaming page. We have written instructions for watching live video broadcasts.

Tire sets given to teams for the weekend

Pirelli will bring the heaviest rubber compounds to Zandvoort. As Hard, Medium and Soft, teams will receive tires C1, C2 and C3. This combination was used this year in Bahrain, Barcelona and Silverstone.

One set of Soft tires must be kept for the qualifying final – after that those who raced in the final must return this set to Pirelli.

One set of Medium and Hard tires must be kept for the race – unless declared wet, riders must use at least one of these sets.

Performance of active riders in the Netherlands

Max Verstappen: “The race in Zandvoort will be special for me, because I will perform for the fans. It was really nice to see how many fans supported us in Austria and Belgium and I hope that for everyone who will be in the stands in Zandvoort this weekend, we can put on a brilliant show.

Talking about the track it won’t be easy to overtake there, but on a fast lap in qualifying we’ll have a lot of fun. Qualifying speed will be high, any mistake can be costly. It would of course be great to win there, for the Orange Army.

Dutch Grand Prix : All stages

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