|
|
Post by René on Nov 10, 2017 16:12:09 GMT
Interesting news today in Dutch media. A feasibility study has been done to a possible Formula 1 return to Zandvoort, commissioned by the municipality of Zandvoort and the circuit owners (among them Bernhard, Prince of Orange).
The outcome was positive; it would be feasible, although expensive. The expensive part was to be expected (approx. 20 million just to get the GP back to the Netherlands) but it was very positive to hear the study showed no problems that could not be overcome. The accessibility of the circuit needs to be improved, the circuit needs adjustments to comply with FIA regulations for F1 and probably a new pit complex.
But it is possible and now with the success of Max there is a much broader public support to get something like this done. I only hope they don't invite Herman Tilke to ruin the track...
I will keep this thread up to date if there is more news.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Nov 10, 2017 18:48:08 GMT
Rene, I hope for the sake of Formula One that a Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is soon on the calendar once more. It's always been one of my favorite circuits. The story of how the German perimeter roads were used for far better purpose is fascinating and its name, Zandvoort, literally Sand Fort, is by far the best!
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Nov 11, 2017 8:10:44 GMT
ironically on you-tube there was a clip of the 1962 Dutch GP that I had never seen before, and it showed much more of the circuit than is normally shown, and it reminded me what a brilliant circuit it was, I must get that book that you previously mentioned - i have the film but the book looks so good, sadly the original circuit is all but gone hasn't it?
Rene a return to the Dutch GP would prompt me to immediately order my ticket and arrange a journey - I was fortunate to see the GP in 1981 but tragically my favourite driver of the time [ a certain Gilles] crashed out on the first lap, I was most disgruntled, and Spa has shown that you can create a beautiful circuit out of the embers of an older one, so here's hoping!
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 11, 2017 10:51:03 GMT
Rene, I hope for the sake of Formula One that a Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is soon on the calendar once more. It's always been one of my favorite circuits. The story of how the German perimeter roads were used for far better purpose is fascinating and its name, Zandvoort, literally Sand Fort, is by far the best!
Carl, you are not the only one who hopes Zandvoort will return on the calender. An international survey had been done among fans with the question: which race track would you like to see back on the calender. And that could be any track so even old tracks that are no longer in use. The outcome was an overwhelming number 1 position for Zandvoort. So apparently many fans around the world have a soft spot for the race track among the dunes!  |
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 11, 2017 11:03:11 GMT
ironically on you-tube there was a clip of the 1962 Dutch GP that I had never seen before, and it showed much more of the circuit than is normally shown, and it reminded me what a brilliant circuit it was, I must get that book that you previously mentioned - i have the film but the book looks so good, sadly the original circuit is all but gone hasn't it? Rene a return to the Dutch GP would prompt me to immediately order my ticket and arrange a journey - I was fortunate to see the GP in 1981 but tragically my favourite driver of the time [ a certain Gilles] crashed out on the first lap, I was most disgruntled, and Spa has shown that you can create a beautiful circuit out of the embers of an older one, so here's hoping! Chris, I think your comparison with Spa is spot on. Although Zandvoort wasn't as long as the old Spa (it was always a close circuit and not a public road track), there are still some iconic corners left (most famous the Tarzan) so it still has that old school feeling and atmosphere like Spa has. The first part of the lap is still very much the same but the second half was just cut off. I live near the most southern border so Spa (and Zolder and the Nürburgring) are actually much closer for me but to have Zandvoort back would be so wonderful! I was also there in 1981 Chris. And I had exactly the same experience! As a 16 year old lad I took the train for a 3 1/2 hour trip all dressed up in red to see my heroes only for a brief moment because also Didier's race was very short. Very disappointed but still great memories. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 2, 2018 16:50:37 GMT
Exciting headlines in Dutch media today. It is said that FOM has presented Zandvoort an offer to organize a Formula One Grand Prix in 2020. Nothing official yet but circuit owner Prince Bernard van Oranje is not denying either. He said the journalist in question was well informed.
There is still a lot to do. The circuit and pitboxes need to be brought up to date and seaside resort Zandvoort is only a small village, not really suitable to receive and accommodate so many people at ones. But they managed in the past and also managed to organize the Max Verstappen Racing days the last few years that attracted over 100.000 visitors a day! The trick is that people need to come by public transport, preferrably by train. They probably need to make that mandatory but who cares?
Another big issue is of course the money but with the success of Max there is a lot of interest from businesses and also the authorities are more willing to support. Key in all this is the very warm contact Prince Bernhard has with our largest beer brewery, Heineken. There is the money.
Let's wait and see. Keep your fingers crossed and I will keep you up to date! 
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 2, 2018 23:57:30 GMT
Small addition to my previous post.
It is really big news here. It was on the 8 o'clock evening news and even our prime minister said a few words about the possibilty of a Grand Prix return. Jan Lammers was a guest in a popular talk show and was optimistic.
Zandvoort has been working on this project for quite a while but also Assen is working hard to convince Liberty to use the TT track. Charlie Whiting visited both tracks and was impressed but whereas Assen is almost ready to go (with only a few minor adjustments) and Zandvoort still needs a lot of work, Liberty seems to have a strong preference for Zandvoort because of its F1 heritage.
This sounds good...
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Nov 3, 2018 3:39:03 GMT
Small addition to my previous post. It is really big news here. It was on the 8 o'clock evening news and even our prime minister said a few words about the possibilty of a Grand Prix return. Jan Lammers was a guest in a popular talk show and was optimistic. Zandvoort has been working on this project for quite a while but also Assen is working hard to convince Liberty to use the TT track. Charlie Whiting visited both tracks and was impressed but whereas Assen is almost ready to go (with only a few minor adjustments) and Zandvoort still needs a lot of work, Liberty seems to have a strong preference for Zandvoort because of its F1 heritage. This sounds good... Rene, Having Zandvoort back as a Grand Prix venue would be fantastic. A circuit so well designed and where all the great legends raced deserves to once again be a fixture in Formula One.
Cheers, Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Nov 3, 2018 7:48:01 GMT
René, very good and interesting news. A good month ago (late September) there were less pleasant news for Danish F1 fans, namely that the plan for a street F1-race in Copenhagen, starting in 2020, has been shelved. A pity; yet somehow, this decision didn't come as a big surprise ... ( Description of the plan on Autosport's website (Sept. 2017): www.autosport.com/f1/news/132058/plans-revealed-for-2020-danish-gp-proposal )  The proposed, and now abandoned, plan for an F1 course through the streets of Copenhagen. |
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 3, 2018 10:50:14 GMT
That is a shame Mikael. Given the number of Danes that are always present at Spa and for that matter Hockenheim, there must be a strong fan base in Denmark. At Hockenheim we were sitting next to a few of your countrymen and they told me they drove for 8 1/2 hours to get there. I mean, those are fans!
The track plan looks spectacular but organizing a street race is always difficult, certainly in the capital city! There was actually a plan for a street course in the city of Rotterdam but that is off the table now.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on Nov 3, 2018 11:16:22 GMT
It would/will be fantastic to have Zandvoort back on the calendar, such an iconic circuit. It has only been in recent times that i have seen film and photos of parts of the circuit not known to me. Far too often the publication back in the day only included shots form the well known areas. Some of the scenes from "out the back" of the track are very different from the ones we are traditionally shown.
OK the new version will be different because of housing development etc, but it will still be excellent. I was not in favour of F! going to Assen, as those vehicles tend to ruin circuits that are more appropriate for motorcycles, not only because of safety requirements, but also the damage that F1 cars etc do to the track surface.
Very unfortunate that Copenhagen will not have a chance to hold a race, as that could have been a marvellous venue. Maybe Denmark does not have a rich enough Oligarch to patronise the event, and the F1 money men.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on Nov 3, 2018 11:46:20 GMT
It would/will be fantastic to have Zandvoort back on the calendar, such an iconic circuit. It has only been in recent times that i have seen film and photos of parts of the circuit not known to me. Far too often the publication back in the day only included shots form the well known areas. Some of the scenes from "out the back" of the track are very different from the ones we are traditionally shown. OK the new version will be different because of housing development etc, but it will still be excellent. I was not in favour of F! going to Assen, as those vehicles tend to ruin circuits that are more appropriate for motorcycles, not only because of safety requirements, but also the damage that F1 cars etc do to the track surface. Very unfortunate that Copenhagen will not have a chance to hold a race, as that could have been a marvellous venue. Maybe Denmark does not have a rich enough Oligarch to patronise the event, and the F1 money men. JC, Zandvoort back on the calender would be a dream come true for every race fan around the world. A famous name and part of F1 racing since the early days. So much history. Jan Lammers said the track is so good because when building it, they were not allowed to move the sand of the dunes so the track had to follow the landscape. That is why it flows so naturally up and down. A great drivers circuit. Your view on Assen is shared by many including MotoGP riders and most outspoken Valentino Rossi. Assen is a fantastic race track but for two wheels, not four. Bringing F1 to Assen could possibly destroy one of the best motor bike tracks in the world. The track owners have a different view though but I guess that has more to do with prestige. Denmark doesn't need an Oligarch. They have large beer breweries compareable to Heineken. They have money!  |
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on Nov 3, 2018 12:18:26 GMT
I would seriously consider a return to F1 should Zandvoort reappear on the F1 calendar, although I would not use Page and Moy's coach tours this time, but a train, far easier
A GP at Denmark would have been brilliant and the circuit looks cool, so that is a shame, whilst we hear the news of Vietnam considering a GP, oh the irony of communist countries [or former communist] countries hosting an extravaganza of wealth and opulence,
Assen is another circuit I have visited and adored, but for F1? please NOooooooo
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on Nov 4, 2018 11:40:49 GMT
Regarding the decision to drop the plans for a GP in Copenhagen, it seems that the finances were in place basically; but - as far as I understand it - there was no real backup and support from the politicians and from the general public. The “green movement” in Denmark is very strong; and it seems that the originators of the GP-plan were in strong headwind against this movement. (Judging from discussion forums at the websites of some major newspapers, the decision to drop the GP-plan was, by-and-large, met with a big applause. It was sad to see ...) |
|
|
|
Post by René on Apr 9, 2019 17:23:13 GMT
Several Dutch (and Belgian) media have reported there is a five year deal agreed between Zandvoort and FOM. There is no official confirmation yet and Jan Lammers, Sporting Director Zandvoort F1, has called the news items premature. But at the same time he said it is looking good but it's up to FOM to confirm the new calender. The return of the Dutch Grand Prix is planned for 2020. I think it is really going to happen. |
|
