Dutch Grand Prix comes closer to return

Dutch Grand Prix comes closer to return

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Sunday 28 January 2018 15:19

The Netherlands has not hosted a Grand Prix since 1985, but the possibility of a return to the F1 calendar moved closer to reality following a positive report from safety delegate Charlie Whiting, who performed an assessment of the track in Assen.

Niki Lauda was the winner in 1985, and the interest in F1 has ignited following the exploits of Max Verstappen across the last few seasons, bringing the Netherlands to the attention of Liberty Media.

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The American owners are actively looking to expand the race calendar into new territories, with the likes of Copenhagen in Denmark cited as a possible venue for a city street track.

The Netherlands remains another genuine option, and while Whiting's report is likely to recommend a number of measures in order to bring the Assen circuit up to F1 standards, the overall opinion is said to have been encouraging.

Arjen Bos, Chairman of the TT Circuit at Assen, said to De Telegraaf: "We're not there yet, but it is nice to hear that Whiting is so positive about the circuit, the modern facilities and the state of maintenance.

"We have always said that we hope to bring the Grand Prix back to the Netherlands within three years. At the moment I estimate the chance at 50/50."