Why the F2 and F3 will skip the Zandvoort circuit in 2024

It is a minor setback for Dutch motorsport fans: Formula 2 and Formula 3 cannot be seen on the Zandvoort circuit in 2024 in the supporting programme of the Dutch Grand Prix. For now, Dutch fans will have to make do with the Porsche Supercup in the supporting programme of the Dutch GP. This is mainly due to the track's limitations in the North Holland dunes.

Spectators who arrived at Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix last season may have seen it for themselves. At various times during the day, one of the entrances to the circuit had to be temporarily closed as the Formula 3 cars (the F2 was not present in '22, ed.) had to drive to the track. This was because their paddock was not in the centre area - which is usual - but outside it. The whole scene not only caused hassle for the teams and drivers, it also created traffic jams of spectators.

Not enough space

The latter could certainly have been dealt with again, and the organisers of the Dutch Grand Prix would have loved to welcome Formula 2 and/or Formula 3 to Zandvoort. But facilitating one support series was already difficult, let alone when there are two. Indeed, it is the wish of the F2 and F3 - unlike also this season when only Formula 2 is present in the Netherlands - to have both classes in Europe run on the same weekends from next year. Indeed, this reduces costs, as many teams are active in F2 and in F3. At Zandvoort, the available space (or lack thereof) for a paddock for both F2 and F3 is quite a challenge, Formula One Management (FOM) informs GPblog when asked.

This is not to say that Zandvoort in '24 will see only Formula One and the Porsche Supercup. The F1 Academy, the class for talented women, has previously revealed that their races will be featured more often in the Formula 1 preliminary programming. This year, the new series was already active at Zandvoort, as a support programme for the DTM. The calendar for next season has not yet been announced, but Zandvoort seems a prime candidate to welcome F1 Academy during the Grand Prix weekend in 2024.

Dutch fans, by the way, can go to Belgium to see Formula 2 and Formula 3 at work in '24. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit does have races planned for the junior classes.