DUTCH GP 2026 / FAREWELL TO ZANDVOORT · THE FINAL F1 RACE HERE

In 1985, the Dutch Grand Prix vanished from the Formula 1 calendar. Thirty-six years of silence. Then in 2021, thanks to Max Verstappen and the orange frenzy that had swept paddocks around the world, Zandvoort came back. And what a comeback: three consecutive wins from pole for Verstappen in 2021, 2022 and 2023. A circuit in the dunes, banked corners, an atmosphere even Silverstone envies, 300,000 fans in orange over the weekend.

But in 2026, the curtain falls. The Dutch Grand Prix leaves the F1 calendar after this edition, and Zandvoort will never host Formula 1 again. It's no surprise: the circuit had a limited contract, and F1's new commercial priorities are steering the calendar towards other markets. That takes nothing away from the emotion of the moment. Verstappen will race for the last time in front of his people at his circuit. And that last time will also be the first Sprint in the circuit's history. Fate has a way with perfect coincidences.

Zandvoort is no ordinary circuit. Laid out among the coastal dunes, 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam, its 4.259 kilometres offer a unique mix of slow corners, fast sections and two banked turns that allow side-by-side overtaking without losing speed: the Hugenholtzbocht (final corner) and the Arie Luyendijkbocht, both reworked in 2021 for F1's return.

Unlike high-downforce circuits such as the Hungaroring, Zandvoort strikes a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical responsiveness. The long, dune-shaped corners test the tyres differently from more conventional European circuits. Tarzan (Turn 1) is the main overtaking spot, and that is often where races are decided in the event of a Safety Car or a hectic Sprint. For teams discovering the circuit in Sprint trim for the first time, Friday's single free practice session will be absolutely crucial.

For the first time in its history, Zandvoort hosts a Sprint weekend. And in the context of the championship, this change is far from trivial. The Sprint awards up to 8 points before Sunday's Grand Prix. In a season where gaps are counted in dozens of points, every Saturday becomes a battle in its own right.

• A single free practice session: Teams will have just one hour on Friday morning to set up their cars before Sprint Qualifying. On a circuit nobody knows in Sprint format, the ability to adapt quickly will be decisive.
• 8 points on Saturday: The Sprint winner scores 8 points. The championship leaders cannot afford to treat the Sprint race like a simple run-out. Every point counts.
• Tyre strategy over two days: The Sprint and the Grand Prix use the same tyres, but teams must save certain sets for Sunday. Managing across two days adds another layer of complexity.
• The GP grid decided on Saturday evening: Grand Prix qualifying takes place on Saturday evening after the Sprint. An incident in the Sprint can compromise Sunday's grid if a car is damaged.