F1 News
Dutch GP director: 'Maybe F1 is surprised, this is our choice'
- Ludo van Denderen
Robert van Overdijk has mixed feelings: on the one hand, there is melancholy, yet a sense of pride prevails. After all, nobody would have thought it possible that Formula 1 would return to Zandvoort at all, and he and his team succeeded anyway. However, despite the great success, it is still time to call it quits. "We are going out with a bang," the Dutch GP director told Dutch state broadcaster NOS.
Options to continue were plenty. Rotate with other circuits, maybe even host a race every year. Formula 1 was keen to extend the contract through 2028, but after 2026 it is over. "We made a lot of considerations and this is the outcome. In the end, it is only our choice. Maybe F1 is surprised, but they certainly respect and understand us. They know how we have to work."
The race at Zandvoort has to go without government support, making it entirely dependent on sponsor and ticket revenue. "No, we are not angling for crowdfunding or other suggestions that might come along now. We are stopping for good," Van Overdijk said.
Van Overdijk calls this a 'message of strength'
To save costs, there was the option of rotating with other circuits. But: "You might say: if it's successful, you just keep going, right? But it's a message from strength. We are going out with a bang. Of course it also gives a wistful feeling, but most of all we are proud."
He concludes with: "With three relatively small parties, we embarked on this adventure. Nobody thought we would pull this off. We have now had four wonderful editions."