Dutch GP all but confirmed by Liberty Media

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has all but confirmed that a Dutch Grand Prix will be confirmed on the 2020 calendar, in a bizarre attempt to play down the story. It has been an open secret for some time that Zandvoort will win a spot on the schedule next year.

Max Verstappen's soaring popularity in his home country has forced Liberty's hand somewhat as they look to cash in on the Red Bull star's status in the Netherlands.

An announcement will be made on Tuesday, although it remains unclear at this time which events will make way. Reports have suggested that the Spanish grand Prix will depart, but organisers made positive noises about their future across the Barcelona weekend just gone.

What is certain, however, is that we will be heading back to the Netherlands for the first time since 1985.

Asked by BBC Sport to confirm the deal, Carey answered: "I don't preview announcements. We'll announce it when we announce it on Tuesday."

The news has been welcomed feverishly in the Netherlands, where Verstappen has been elevated among the country's biggest sporting stars since moving to Red Bull's senior team in 2016.

Hordes of orange-clad fans have invaded many European races in recent years, most notably the Austrian and Belgian Grands Prix.

Concerns remain about Zandvoort's ability to produce good racing – its tight and twisting nature is not likely to produce much overtaking in F1 and DTM took it off its calendar this year over fears that the Touring Cars would be too fast to handle the track.

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