The Dutch Grand Prix will run for the final time at Circuit Zandvoort in 2026, marking the end of an era that brought Formula 1 back to the coastal venue after decades away. Former circuit director Jim Vermeulen has expressed his disappointment at the decision, revealing he would have preferred a rotation system with Spa-Francorchamps to keep the Netherlands on the championship calendar. The announcement, made in December 2024, confirmed what many in the paddock had suspected: without government backing, the financial burden of hosting a modern Formula 1 event had become unsustainable for the private organisers.
Financial reality forces difficult decision
Robert van Overdijk and Jan Lammers, the current directors of the Dutch Grand Prix, took the decision to conclude operations after the 2026 season due to mounting financial pressures. Unlike most venues on the championship calendar, Zandvoort operates without any state support, making it one of the only fully privately funded races in Formula 1. The cost of staging a Grand Prix has escalated year after year, with organisers facing increasing fees and infrastructure demands from the championship’s commercial rights holders.
Vermeulen acknowledged the commercial logic behind the decision, despite his personal regret. He noted that while the event has generated substantial revenue during its recent return to the calendar, the financial risk remains significant. A single cancelled or poorly attended race could result in losses approaching 50 million euros, an exposure that few private organisations can absorb without government safety nets or corporate underwriting.
Rotation proposal emerges as alternative path
Speaking to the Dutch edition of [REMOVED], Vermeulen outlined his preferred solution to the scheduling dilemma facing the Benelux region. Rather than abandoning the Dutch Grand Prix entirely, he would have advocated for a biennial or triennial rotation system. The infrastructure at Zandvoort already exists, he argued, and spacing out the events would guarantee sellout crowds each time the championship returned to the legendary seaside circuit.
The rotation concept carries particular appeal when considered alongside Spa-Francorchamps, which has itself moved to an alternating schedule on the Formula 1 calendar. Vermeulen expressed frustration that the two circuits did not coordinate their approaches, which would have maintained a Benelux presence every season while reducing the financial strain on both venues. Instead, the championship faces the prospect of entire years without racing in either the Netherlands or Belgium, removing two of Europe’s most passionate racing markets from the schedule.
Operational challenges at Zandvoort
One factor complicating Zandvoort’s position is the sheer scale of temporary construction required to meet Formula 1 standards. The circuit becomes unusable for approximately two months surrounding each Grand Prix as crews erect temporary grandstands and hospitality facilities. This extended disruption limits the venue’s ability to generate alternative revenue and creates logistical headaches for local stakeholders.
Vermeulen contrasted this with the TT Circuit Assen, which boasts permanent grandstand capacity exceeding 50,000 seats and could theoretically host a Grand Prix with far less preparation time. He confirmed advising Lee van Dam, who organises events at Assen, to register the facility as an emergency reserve venue with Formula 1. Being included on the championship’s contingency list would position Assen to step in should any scheduled race face cancellation due to geopolitical events or unforeseen circumstances.
What this means for the championship calendar
The departure of the Dutch Grand Prix after 2026 reflects broader tensions within Formula 1’s calendar expansion. While the championship pursues new markets and record-breaking race calendars, traditional European venues without government funding struggle to justify the investment. The financial model that once sustained historic circuits has fractured under the weight of escalating hosting fees and commercial demands.
For Dutch fans and the legacy of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, the loss represents more than scheduling politics. The Orange Army that transformed Zandvoort into one of the most atmospheric events on the calendar will need to travel to neighbouring countries to watch their hero compete. Whether Formula 1 eventually embraces a more flexible rotation system for European classics remains uncertain, but Vermeulen’s comments underscore the frustration felt by those who built the infrastructure that brought the sport back to the Netherlands.
The 2025 and 2026 editions at Zandvoort will carry added poignancy as farewell appearances, at least for the foreseeable future. Vermeulen’s simple assessment captured the sentiment shared by many: “It is sad.”
