Max Verstappen‘s home race, the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, will part ways with Formula One after the 2026 round. The venue’s general director, Robert van Overdijk, has opened up on the reason for the decision and admitted that he has an eye on NASCAR and IndyCar for a future race.
The 2025 round of the Dutch GP is set for the upcoming weekend, marking the venue’s penultimate race. Given the imminent separation and the end of a fruitful partnership, the general feeling is that the remaining two races will be emotional. When Overdijk was asked by RacingNews365 if this weekend’s race would be special, he said:
“I don’t think so yet. If you ask me this next year, I’ll say absolutely yes. The final edition will, I think, maybe evoke the same emotions in a different way as the very first edition. Of course, we all know that this event is so big in the Netherlands.”
He added:
“But if we soon stop after 2026, Formula 1 will shift its focus back to other continents. Everyone senses that next year will be a very special one. After that it won’t come back to the Netherlands for years. And maybe never again.”
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 25, 2024 in Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 25, 2024 in Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Overdijk explained that while Formula One Management (FOM) was unhappy with the idea of parting ways, it understood the motive behind the decision. He said:
“Initially – and this also made us proud – disappointment that we made this decision. But from their side there was also understanding why we took this decision.
“They know better than anyone else, of course, that we, along with Silverstone, are the only Grand Prix that has to do without a single euro of subsidy.
“They find it unfortunate, because of course Stefano Domenicali [F1 CEO] in particular has been shouting in recent years that we have set a new benchmark in the world of Formula 1. We are also proud of that.”
He continued:
“And on the other hand, he knows that we have to make do with three small parties: Circuit Zandvoort, TIG Sports and SportVibes. We are simply on the hook for this mega-event at our own expense and risk.
“Those risks stop sometime, so there is also a lot of understanding from them. We still work great together and we both know that we still have to turn the last two editions into very fantastic ones.”
Addressing Zandvoort’s future beyond 2026, the general director said the circuit was exploring potential partnerships with other forms of motorsport. He said:
“Ultimately, we only have four UBO (no sound limit) weekends in the year. One of those will be released in 2027. Of course I’ve been talking to different parties who are interested in that for quite some time. What’s important to us as a circuit is that something comes in return. It can never be as big as Formula 1, but you shouldn’t be looking for that either.
“It has to provide spectacle. I personally – but that’s my personal opinion – do like to look across the pond to America with a slanted eye. And whether that’s IndyCar or NASCAR, I’ll leave that for a while. I think both are spectacular and you can create a very cool show around them. But again, that’s my personal preference.”