Circuit Zandvoort, formerly known as Circuit Park Zandvoort until 2017, is a 4.259 km (2.646 mi) track situated amongst sand dunes in the north of the Netherlands.
Looking out over the North Sea coastline, the track made a notable and celebrated return to the Formula One calendar in 2021, hosting the rejuvenated Dutch Grand Prix and reinstating a historic and popular F1 track.
Circuit Zandvoort
| First Grand Prix | 1952 Dutch Grand Prix |
| Number of Laps | 72 |
| Circuit Length | 4.259km |
| Race Distance | 306.587 km |
| Lap Record | 1:11.097 Lewis Hamilton (2021) |
Circuit
When was the Circuit Zandvoort built?
The Zandvoort Circuit, like Silverstone, was inaugurated in 1948, riding the wave of post-war motorsport enthusiasm that was prevalent across Europe at the time. This enthusiasm was a result of the burgeoning interest in motorsports following the end of World War II, as countries and communities sought to rebuild and find joy in sporting events.
The original Zandvoort track was unique in its layout, combining elements of both permanent track and public roads. This layout meandered through the scenic sand dunes of the Zandvoort resort town, providing a picturesque yet challenging course for drivers. The design of the circuit was a reflection of the era’s engineering ingenuity and creativity in integrating natural landscapes with racing tracks.
The Dutch Automobile Racing Club, instrumental in initiating the plans for the circuit, sought expertise from Sammy Davis, the 1927 Le Mans winner, to consult on the track’s design. Davis’s involvement ensured that the circuit would not only be challenging for drivers but also meet the highest racing standards at the time. The original track, measuring approximately 4.2 km, was a blend of Davis’s racing experience and the natural topography of Zandvoort.
Over the years, the Zandvoort Circuit underwent several modifications, evolving from its initial form to adapt to the changing demands of modern motorsports. The integration of the circuit within the Zandvoort resort town also highlighted the close relationship between motorsports and the local community, making it a distinct feature of the town and an attraction for both racing enthusiasts and tourists.
From 1952 to 1985, the track has appeared at various times on the F1 calendar. But since then, it fell out of favour until in November 2018, it was reported that Formula One Management (FOM) had invited the owners of the Zandvoort race track to submit a proposal for hosting a Grand Prix in 2020. On May 14, 2019, it was officially confirmed that Zandvoort would host the Dutch Grand Prix starting in 2020, which was later stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic for another year.
In preparation for its F1 return, the Zandvoort track underwent several modifications under the guidance of track designer Jarno Zaffelli. These changes aimed to update the circuit to meet current Formula One standards. Notably, banking was added to Turn 14 (Arie Luyendijkbocht) and Turn 3 (Hugenholtzbocht). Despite these modifications, the fundamental layout of the track has remained unchanged, preserving the classic character of the Zandvoort circuit while enhancing it to suit modern F1 racing requirements.
When was the first Dutch Grand Prix?
The Dutch Grand Prix of 1952 marked its debut as a part of the F1 World Championship, although it was conducted under Formula Two regulations instead of Formula One, a situation that was common for all European rounds of the championship in that year and repeated in 1953. Alberto Ascari achieved a dominant victory, leading a Ferrari sweep of the top three positions.
The event was not held in 1954, 1956, or 1957. However, in 1955, the Dutch Grand Prix hosted its first race conforming to true Formula One regulations as a part of the Drivers’ Championship.
From 1958 onwards, the Dutch Grand Prix became a consistent race on the F1 calendar, except for a hiatus in 1972, and continued until 1985, which marked its last appearance in the 20th century.
The first race in the 21st century took place on the 5th of September 2021 and was won by Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Prior to Verstappen, no Dutch driver had won their home race.
Circuit Zandvoort lap record
The official lap record for the current F1 Grand Prix circuit layout is 1:11.097, set by Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix driving for Mercedes.
