Lammers on future of Zandvoort: 'It's not that the GP is threatened'

Lammers on the future of Dutch GP at Zandvoort

Whether the race in Zandvoort will continue to exist in the future is partly down to choices, according to Lammers. "It's not that the Grand Prix is threatened now. I think FOM is very keen to have us there and of course we would also like to continue," he explained.

"But when you're dealing with events of this magnitude, it's not so much about what you want but also what you can do. There are obviously a lot of people who enjoy it immensely, but in the end it is the entrepreneurs behind the Dutch GP who have to sign off on the costs."

The organisation has invested a lot in the Dutch GP. For instance, not only has a lot been invested in the entertainment but also in the infrastructure and facilities at the circuit, such as the extended pit building and additional catering facilities. "Those are all solid investments and they are certainly justified for those first five years, but after that you have to start thinking about a lot of things and making estimates," the former F1 driver continued.

Future of Dutch GP partly linked to Verstappen

For instance, Lammers realises all too well that the event is largely linked to local hero Max Verstappen. "We cannot start determining exactly what Max will do after the fifth year. Of course, that also raises the question: what will Formula 1 look like in 2026? And how does that appeal to the public?"

"We have obviously been able to start this Dutch Grand Prix in the euphoria and enthusiasm of Max. People have been to the race, say, three, four or five times and may just decide that they are going to do something else this year. Those are all shifts and that would be at the expense of ticket sales," Lammers explained.

Lammers: 'Verstappen is like a Trojan horse'

What Verstappen has also done, however, is get his own fans excited about other F1 drivers. "Without Max, that race would never have happened, of course, but in the meantime, people have obviously got to know Ricciardo and new people like Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. The newer fans have obviously become hugely excited about all these new names," Lammers continued.

The sporting director also points to the part of the audience that used to turn off the television when Verstappen dropped out. "That percentage has become a lot less because now they also have B, C and D favourites. So Max has taken his colleagues in Formula 1 with him like a Trojan horse," he adds. "A lot more people now have a broader knowledge of Formula 1 and therefore a lot more knowledge of the drivers."

Zandvoort and Spa rotation is a serious option

Interest in other F1 drivers will play a crucial role in the event's future, but can the Dutch GP rely on it if Verstappen quits at some point? In that case, the question is to what extent it is justified to continue making such large investments in the Dutch GP. One option that has been discussed several times is possibly rotating with the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps. This would see both races take place every other year.

"At first that was a threat where you thought: no, that's not going to happen, is it? We want it every year. But for the future, it could well be that that's going to be a solution," acknowledges Lammers, who explains that all sorts of routes will have to be restarted for 2027. "A lot of people have to think about that and give a positive signal about that, also in terms of permits. These are decisions we cannot and should not anticipate."

Lammers: 'The hype around Verstappen has levelled somewhat'

With that knowledge in mind, rotation with Spa could become a real scenario as far as the organisation is concerned. "It is definitely something we are seriously considering. Organising such a Grand Prix every year is also taking a risk every year. The hype around Max is somewhat levelled at the moment, that peak is out. You can't escape that," Lammers continued.

"So you have to start asking yourself whether you will always fill up that Grand Prix in the years after 2026 or whether you will do it every two years. Are we heading towards once every two years full, or just a little less every year? That's what you ultimately have to base your decision on," Lammers observes.

This article has been written in collaboration with Ben Stevens. 

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