The Zanvoort track will no longer be on the calendar after the 2026 season, F1 announced, while a contract renewal agreement only valid for holding the event beyond the initial contract ending in 2025 has been signed.
This old school circuit returned to the calendar due to the popularity of Max Verstappen in the Netherlands. Every year since its return to F1, the Grand Prix held in Zandvoort has been sold out, and the stands are covered in orange. However, it is not McLaren who is supported there, but the local driver.
Read also: The Dutch Grand Prix will disappear from the F1 calendar
Asked about the subject, Lando Norris, who won the race there this year, said he really enjoyed the event.
“I don't know why it's only 2026, maybe you know more than me. I enjoyed it, of course, you know, we had a great race there this year. It's always a really fun weekend for me. The fans are some of the most passionate and exciting, I would say, all season. So it's one of the ones that I appreciate the most, even if all the fans are there for Max, it's the one that I appreciate the most. A good atmosphere, good music. There are a lot of people, it's noisy, you know, it's… I like it! It's definitely higher on my list than a lot of other Grands Prix. So I'm surprised he didn't go further, but I don't know all the reasons. »
The Briton slips in a little hint of irony in passing towards the man against whom he admitted at the end of the year that he was not ready to fight for the world title this season. The absence of the Netherlands from the calendar from 2027 will be mainly due to a financial question.
“Yes, money talks a lot these days, so… it’s a shame”continues Norris. “To be fair, Max makes enough money to pay for it himself. If he wants a home race, he should do it out of his own pocket! »
