Will Zandvoort's F1 contract be extended? More clarity in November

The first edition of the Dutch Grand Prix was a resounding success. Despite the fact that only 70 percent of the total capacity could be used due to the corona measures, the weekend at the Zandvoort circuit set a new standard for Formula 1. Whether the DutchGP contract with Formula 1 can and will be extended will become clear later this year.

Zandvoort signed a three-year contract that originally ran from 2020 to 2022. Because the event couldn't take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus, it became a contract from 2021 to 2023. However, there is an option to extend the contract by two years.

Robert van Overdijk says in conversation with RTL News that he expects the organisation of the Dutch Grand Prix in early November to have more clarity on organising a race in 2024 and 2025. As far as ticket sales are concerned, Van Overdijk does not expect major problems but he states that they also need partners and the government to continue organising the event. Talks on this have already started 'at all levels'.

All of the Netherlands hopes that the contract will be extended

While races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are fully funded by the government, Zandvoort has to puzzle out how to put the 'entry fee' on the table. The budget has to be one hundred percent balanced and that is easier said than done, even if the Grand Prix is sold out.

Van Overdijk hopes the Formula 1 circus will remain at Circuit Zandvoort until at least 2025. "We are in a fantastic position. Everyone has praised us. But we have to keep both feet on the ground. Let's put it down again," says the top man.