The Dutch Grand Prix will happen in Zandvoort on May 3rd next year, according to the Formula 1 calendar for 2020 that was published on Thursday.
The calendar still needs to be approved at a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council on October 4th, but that is normally just a formality, according to NU.nl. There will be a total of 22 Grand Prix races next year, including in Vietnam for the first time ever and the return to Zandvoort.
🗓 F1 2020 CALENDAR 🗓
ProRail started doing adjustments to the tracks between Haarlem and Zandvoort, to prepare for the thousands of Formula 1 fans expected to attend the Grand Prix in Zandvoort next year. In the coming year a mountain of work needs to be done, but ProRail expects it to succeed. "We're doing it at F1 speed", the rail manager said in a statement.
Formula 1 is returning to the Netherlands with the first Grand Prix since 1985 happening at the Zandvoort circuit in May 2020. Sponsor Heineken and Formula 1 owner Formula One Management made the official announcement on Tuesday, NPO Radio 1 reports.
Circuit Zandvoort has been in talks with the Formula One Management for months about bringing the Grand Prix to the Netherlands. The two parties agreed on a three-year contract.
This week it will be announced whether the Zandvoort circuit will be allowed to organize a Grand Prix again for the first time since 1985 next May. To prevent the roads to the town completely overflowing, the circuit already announced that it wants Formula 1 fans to use public transport as much as possible. NS is keen to cooperate and already mapped a Formula 1 timetable.
The Zandvoort circuit reached a five-year agreement with the Formula One Group that will bring the Grand Prix back to the Netherlands as early as next year, magazine Motorsportweek reports based on sources. Jan Lammers, the intended sporting director of the Dutch Grand Prix, calls the news premature.
The municipal council of Zandvoort unanimously voted in favor of investing 4 million euros into returning Formula 1 to the Netherlands. Almost everyone in the council agreed that the return of the motorsport will have a positive effect on the local economy, NU.nl reports.
Heineken is interested in sponsoring a Dutch Formula 1 Grand Prix, but only if a proper financial feasibility is done and a good financial plan is in place, Hans Erik Tuijt, responsible for Heineken's Formula 1 sponsorship, said to BNR. "It must be financially feasible. People must want it", Tuijt said.
In Spain on Sunday 18-year-old Max Verstappen became both the first Dutch and youngest racer ever to win the Grand Prix. "I can not believe it", the young Dutchman said after what he describes as an "incredible and fantastic" race
Dutch teenager Max Vestappen (17) earned his first Formula 1 points in the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday, NRC reports. With these points Verstappen became the youngest driver to earn points in Formula 1, his second record in a short time. Two weeks ago Verstappen became the youngest newcomer in Formula 1.
