Dutch GP

• Track insights

  Zandvoort is a cosy little coastal town in the Netherlands. Its circuit, in contrast, is fast, furious, and unforgiving. The Dutch track dates back to 1948, hosting races from 1952 to 1985, and even after several modifications were made ahead of its return to the F1 calendar in 2021, it remains expectedly old-school.

  Circuit Zandvoort is a real driver’s track: a lap of the 4.259km, 14-corner circuit feels like a rollercoaster ride with twists, turns, and elevation changes, making qualifying a must-watch.

  The track is famous for its 18-degree banked corner at the end of the circuit - approximately double that of the banking at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – but there are several notable sections, including the fast and sweeping Tarzan hairpin and Hugenholtbocht, both of which provide overtaking opportunities.

  But the circuit isn’t the widest, and so even in those sections, overtaking can be a bit tricky. Things are made more interesting by a short pit-lane, which makes multiple stops more possible and therefore provides teams with more choice when it comes to strategy.

• What's it like in the Netherlands?

  Zandvoort offers the best of both worlds.  

  If you prefer a beach holiday to a city break, Zandvoort’s seaside location, lined with stunning white sandy beaches, will make this the ideal grand prix for you. Or, if you prefer to get lost in the hustle and bustle of a big city, you’re less than 30 minutes away from Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.

  Although there are plenty of places to relax, don’t expect it to be quiet once the weekend starts, with the lively Dutch crowd guaranteed to produce a party atmosphere.

  The Netherlands is home to rich and tangy cheeses and tasty savoury snacks such as bitterballen, but no Dutch food is as famous in Formula 1 as the legendary stroopwaffle. The small, round waffle cookie is a staple of the paddock and a must-try whether you’re attending the race or just wanting to sample the local cuisine from home.

• Stat pack

  • We have won the Dutch Grand Prix three times
  • James Hunt, Alain Prost and Niki Lauda all won at Zandvoort for McLaren
  • Niki Lauda’s Dutch Grand Prix win in 1985 was his last victory in F1
  • In the same race in 1985, Alain Prost set a new lap record of 1m16.538s, which stood until the race returned in 2021 after a 30-year hiatus
  • Lando took two wins and a podium at Zandvoort in his 2017 European Formula 3 campaign