Why is this the last Dutch Grand Prix? F1 organisers confirm emotional KO for iconic circuit

The F1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will take place for the final time later today (Sunday August 23) at the iconic seaside circuit in the Netherlands.

The race will no longer be on the annual calendar for 2027 and beyond after returning for just six seasons in 2021 following a 36-year absence.

It's a painful moment for the organisers and Max Verstappen's orange army of fans, who make the annual event one of THE fun stops on what is now a very global calendar for the sport.

It seems ironic that just as F1 is really booming from a commercial perspective, and with Verstappen of course a megastar in his home country, the Netherlands can no longer support a home race. So why is that?

The answer of course is money, or to be specific a lack of it in terms of revenues from the annual race. It is not a lack of potential either, more issues with the surrounding infrastructure.

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Why is Zandvoort getting F1 KO?

The organisers of this race fund the event privately with no backing from the Dutch Government. And the race takes place in a tiny coastal resort surrounded by sand dunes and within spitting distance of the North Sea - the ability to build out the venue is simply limited.

With no external support forthcoming, organisers made the painful decision that 2026 would be the last stop (for now) in a little town which has only 17,000 inhabitants.

Zandvoort boss writes emotional letter to fans

The end of the Dutch Grand Prix is an emotional moment for all concerned, especially after the long and difficult battle to have the track upgraded and returned to the calendar in 2021.

Sporting Director Jan Lammers summed up his feelings in a moving open letter to fans on Sunday morning, reflecting on an unforgettable journey which has produced some iconic moments in the past six years.

He wrote: "Growing up in Zandvoort, I was raised on the roar of race cars from my own backyard. I've raced here myself, witnessed the ins and outs of Formula 1, and had the privilege of experiencing the thrilling return up close."

Lammers admits this is a project for the romantics, one which succeeded against all the odds.

He continued: "When we embarked on this journey years ago, many thought we were insane. A Formula 1 race in Zandvoort? In today’s world? On that modest circuit tucked between the dunes and the sea? But in 2021 we were there - and so were you, decked out in orange, with hundreds of thousands united in support.

"Nearly two million fans later, we all know it was achievable. It happened because so many believed in it, because thousands worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and because you returned year after year."

So Zandvoort will bid a teary farewell this afternoon, a project built on love but now ending due to cold, hard financial reality. Lammers though prefers to focus on the positives.

"The memories will endure. The stories will live on. And somewhere in the dunes, the sound of those Formula 1 cars and your cheers will resonate for a long time. Cherish the memories and enjoy our final lap."

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