The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will exit the Formula 1 calendar after the 2026 season, as announced by the event organizers on Wednesday. The current contract, which was set to end after the 2024 season, has been extended by one year, ensuring that the race will take place in both 2025 and 2026. Formula 1 confirmed that it was the promoters’ decision to leave the calendar, with Zandvoort’s final appearance featuring a Sprint race for the first time in its history. The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix will be held from August 29 to 31, with the date for 2026 still to be announced.
Zandvoort returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021 after a 36-year hiatus, coinciding with the rise of Dutch driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen has won the race for three consecutive years, further increasing its popularity among Dutch fans. Despite the large crowds and passionate support from Verstappen’s fanbase, race promoters have struggled to make the event financially sustainable. Robert van Overdijk, the Director of the Dutch Grand Prix, explained that, as a privately owned and operated business, the organizers must weigh the risks and rewards of continuing to host the event, ultimately deciding to go out on a high with two more Grand Prix races in 2025 and 2026.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his gratitude towards the Dutch Grand Prix organizers, highlighting their significant contributions to the sport. He praised the event for raising the bar in terms of entertainment and spectacle, as well as its focus on sustainability, with fans encouraged to use public transport to the venue. The race has also supported the development of young talent by hosting Formula 2, Formula 3, and the F1 Academy series. Domenicali further noted that numerous options, including alternation or annual events, were discussed to keep the race, but the decision was made to conclude its successful run in 2026.
The exit of Zandvoort from the calendar comes shortly after Monaco and Monza secured their places on the Formula 1 calendar through 2031. Both events are integral parts of Formula 1 history, with Monza undergoing renovations to ensure its future, and Monaco maintaining its iconic status. The decision leaves a potential gap in the calendar from 2027, with several countries, including Thailand, South Korea, and Rwanda, expressing interest in hosting a Formula 1 race during that period.
