Dutch Grand Prix confirmed for 2020

Formula 1 has confirmed that the Dutch Grand Prix will return to the calendar next year, marking the sport's first trip to Zandvoort in 35 years. Confirmation had been a mere formality after months of speculation that Liberty Media would hand the Netherlands a spot on the schedule.

Zandvoort has previously hosted 34 World Championship races, with the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Jackie Stewart, Alain Prost and Niki Lauda having previously won at the circuit.

Zandvoort. We're coming.

The #DutchGP is back 🇳🇱

See you in 2020 👊#F1 pic.twitter.com/uUfauZ79Em

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 14, 2019

Its return to prominence in F1 comes on the back of Max Verstappen's explosion of popularity in his homeland, with CEO Chase Carey having previously admitted that the 'Max Factor' made a Dutch race impossible to ignore.

And the Red Bull man will be the star attraction when the race returns next year, despite immediate concerns over the Zandvoort circuit's ability to produce an exciting race, owing to its tight, twisting nature.

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey is delighted that the deal could finally be struck.

“We are particularly pleased to announce that Formula 1 is returning to race in the Netherlands, at the Zandvoort track. From the beginning of our tenure in Formula 1, we said we wanted to race in new venues, while also respecting the sport’s historic roots in Europe.

"Next season therefore, we will have a brand new street race that will be held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, as well the return to Zandvoort, after an absence of 35 years; a track that has contributed to the popularity of the sport all over the world.

"In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in Formula 1 in Holland, mainly due to the enthusiastic support for the talented Max Verstappen, as seen from the sea of orange at so many races.

"No doubt this will be the dominant colour in the Zandvoort grandstands next year.”

The Sporting Director of the new Dutch GP, Jan Lammers, has revealed plans to update sections of the Zandvoort track in order to meet the requirements to play host to a GP.

“The Zandvoort Circuit is legendary and known worldwide and we’re delighted to see it host a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship once again," he announced.

"To meet the wishes of Formula 1 and the required standards of the FIA the circuit and infrastructure will be modernized within a few areas, with the work completed well ahead of the race in 2020. In addition, the municipality of Zandvoort has recently invested heavily to improve access to the municipality and the circuit.”

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