Dutch Grand Prix won't move to Assen Circuit after last race in Zandvoort

There will be no Dutch Grand Prix at the TT Circuit in Assen, circuit director Mark van Aalderen told the Telegraaf. The Formula 1 calendar is full through 2030, and the management of the circuit in Drenthe has therefore decided against making the multi-million euro investment needed to obtain the required Grade One status for a Formula 1 race.

With the final Grand Prix weekend at the Zandvoort Circuit at the end of August, Formula 1 in the Netherlands will, therefore, come to an end. Aalderen called it unfortunate to dash the dreams of those who had pinned their hopes on the TT Circuit Assen, after it said last year that it was holding talks about taking over the baton from Zandvoort. But he considers quick clarity to be kinder.

“It has been made clear to us that the chance of a Formula 1 race in Assen is zero until 2030, and extremely small thereafter,” Van Aalderen told the Telegraaf. Van Aalderen, therefore, sees no point in investing millions to secure the Grade One safety licence required for hosting a Formula 1 race.

“We would have liked to do it,” Van Aalderen said. He called it a compliment and an honor that so many people saw potential in Assen and worked to organize a Formula 1 race at the TT Circuit.

“But we also have to be honest: we would never be able to recoup the millions we would have to invest to modify the circuit. We would rather invest those millions to keep our circuit MotoGP-worthy. Because that, too, will cost a lot of money in the coming years.”