Dutch GP avoids last-minute fan headache and potential bankruptcy

The Dutch Grand Prix is to go ahead as planned this weekend despite a last-ditch attempt by environmentalists to disrupt the schedule and for the grand prix to be staged without fans.

In July, Zandvoort officials were given the green light for the circuit to house a two-thirds capacity crowd - around 70,000 spectators - at what will be the venue's first F1 race since 1985.

That led to an environmentalist group, Coöperatie Mobilisation for the Environment [MOB] protesting the decision, claiming the race should be behind closed doors as it breaches the limitations of Zandvoort's permit relating to nitrogen emissions. Such a move was declared "unacceptable" by track bosses.

The group had suggested F1 would cause unacceptable ecological damage to the surrounding Natura 2000 - one of many nature protection areas across the European Union - due to a serious increase in nitrogen levels.

Aside from the F1 event, MOB had also called for the rest of the race programme to be scrapped.

Zandvoort officials cited the fact they had already invested heavily in F'1s return and a race without fans would likely result in the circuit going bankrupt.

A decision was ultimately left in the hands of a judge from the Noord-Holland District Court, who opted to take the weekend to mull over the arguments of both parties, declaring the "balancing of interests" to be "a difficult one".

The judge, though, was awaiting the findings of an investigation and recommendation by the Administrative Jurisdiction Advisory Board [STAB].

Such findings are still forthcoming, which has resulted in the judge opting to favour the circuit on this occasion, determining there is insufficient scope at this stage for a full or partial suspension of Zandvoort's race permit.

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