F1 teams given "very limited" Zandvoort track data ahead of Dutch GP

Zandvoort track data is being held back from Formula 1 teams to prevent preparations being made for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. The F1 circus hasn't visited the circuit since 1985 and it has been renovated in the last 12 months. 

The circuit chiefs hope the refrain on data makes racing less predictable and more dependant on the set-up made during the three free practice sessions in the build-up to the race. 

"All modern F1 teams work scientifically, so if he gives all the data to them they will enter it into their simulator programmes in no time. That is exactly what we don't want to happen. So what he gives them is very limited. We want drivers to go out on the track during Friday practice to find the best possible set-up," Zandvoort's Sporting Director Jan Lammers said and is quoted by Autosport. 

"So that is a bit of old school racing and makes the weekend probably a bit unpredictable. He [Jarno] absolutely doesn't want them to have too much information beforehand, so they can do a lot of preparatory work in the simulator. He basically wants teams to find out everything during Friday practice sessions. Maybe that could make the weekend a bit more exciting."

Just a few months to go

There are only a few months to go until the lights go green for the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. However, work is still being carried out on the track. The work is expected to be finished inside the next month, ahead of the first on-track action in March.