Max Verstappen delivers honest verdict ahead of Zandvoort’s F1 farewell

The Dutch Grand Prix will fall off the calendar after the 2026 season, meaning that the Zandvoort race after the summer break, could be the final home race for Verstappen in the Netherlands, unless Formula 1 brings it back before his career is over.

Verstappen's success in Formula 1 was a big reason as to why the race was brought back to the calendar in 2021, and he has won three races and finished on the podium in all fives races since its return. The four-time world champion admitted it was a “shame”, although he believes the track itself will continue to provide plenty of opportunities for him to enjoy driving there away from Formula 1.

He told reporters after the Hungarian Grand Prix: "It’s my home Grand Prix, so for sure I’m going to enjoy it a lot. I hope, driving-wise. Hopefully a bit more than I did this weekend, at least. But, yeah, it’s going to be great to see the fans.

Verstappen's comments were echoed by both Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli who both praised the atmosphere at the Dutch Grand Prix over recent years and said it was a shame for the track to leave the calendar.

Verstappen enters what could be the last Dutch Grand Prix of his career with speculation continuing to mount over his future.

Former F1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes that a potential Max Verstappen departure from Red Bull could turn the driver market into a game of musical chairs, while also acknowledging the four-time world champion’s strong loyalty to the team.

Speaking to F1.com, the Brazilian double world champion said: “I think he has a big loyalty to the team, and I like that. I always liked to run many years on a team, as much as I could go. I think he has this loyalty. But possibly, he can leave. If that happened, it would be musical chairs. It’s going to move everybody. I think this part of F1 is exciting. The fans, ‘Who’s going to be [there]? Where are they going?’ It’s part of the sport.”