Dutch GP’s new banked corners “for the brave drivers”

2020 marks the first time since 1985 that the Dutch GP has featured on the F1 calendar amongst the introduction of a new street race in Hanoi, Vietnam, bringing the total race weekends up to a record 22.
 
But a lot of construction has had to be done in Zandvoort to bring the track up to standards, including two new banked corners, making the challenge of the tight track even more so for drivers.
 
“According to our simulations, the drivers will go at full speed through turn 2 and after that it will be very interesting to see which line they take in the Hugenholtz corner,” Zaffelli told De Telegraaf newspaper.

“The angle exceeds 18 degrees. This is really going to be a circuit for the brave drivers.”

Some drivers expect that due to the tight and twisting nature of the track racing around it might not be the most interesting perspective for F1, something Zaffelli disagrees with.

“You always hear that at Zandvoort you can’t pass. But that’s why we’ve been called to change that,” he added.

“We see this as the project with the highest risk – for us and also for the Formula 1 leadership and everyone involved. For the simple reason that Zandvoort is different.

“We are changing a historical place in a number of parts and coming up with something not seen in Formula 1 for decades.”