This weekend will mark Zandvoort’s penultimate appearance on the modern F1 calendar, as it was announced the circuit’s contract wouldn’t be extended past 2026.
Although a few people might be glad, with the Dutch venue often generating rather processional racing, it’s still a location with lots of motor sport history, variable weather conditions and offers fans attending a festival-like atmosphere.
The circuit that puts drivers through a rollercoaster ride, complete with big banking and steep swoops, is often labelled as one of the most fun to experience in a race car but a lack of overtaking opportunities means it isn’t ranked very highly for the actual spectacle.
Dutch fans won’t get to see their hero Verstappen after 2026
Red Bull
Having attended the Dutch Grand Prix myself in 2023, I have to say it was one of my favourite events I have been to. Fantastic facilities, excitable crowds, and close proximity to public transport, with a direct train to or from Amsterdam in just 25 minutes. Fans also cycled to the event in their thousands, a whole section of the beach was dedicated to parking for two wheels.
Therefore it feels a shame that somewhere like Zandvoort – a circuit with so much character, history and not to mention home to a current four-time world champion – is going to be lost in favour of another race track configured around a city centre car park (Madrid).
For me, this feels like a perfect opportunity to bring back the European Grand Prix, but with a twist.
What was the European Grand Prix?
Nelson Piquet, winner of the 1983 European GP, rockets towards Druids at Brands Hatch
Getty Images
Initially used as an honorary title, the first stand-alone world championship European Grand Prix was used in 1983 at Brands Hatch after that year’s Swiss Grand Prix was cancelled, Las Vegas had been jettisoned and a mooted New York Grand Prix simply never happened. The World Championship was reduced to 14 events from the proposed 17, and so John Webb of Brands Hatch came up with the plan to host a second British race alongside Silverstone and the title of European Grand Prix was used again.
The following year, Nürburgring took the reins, with a return to Brands in 1985. After a hiatus, the event came back with Donington Park in 1993, before stints in Jerez and a return to the Nürburgring. In fact, the German circuit hosted the European Grand Prix annually from 1999 until 2007 when it passed the baton to Valencia from 2008 until 2012.
F1 last hosted a European Grand Prix in 2016, when the Baku City Circuit made its debut on the calendar and is now known as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Same name, new idea
With so many permanent FIA Grade 1 listed circuits around Europe, we think it’s time both F1 and its governing body use one slot on its ever-growing calendar to give a nod to its past. I’m not talking about building a custom street circuit in the middle of Cologne because it happens to be close to DHL’s headquarters (a title-sponsor of F1), I want to see some of the familiar favourites make a comeback to our calendars.
Looking at the FIA’s most recent list of Grade 1 listed circuits* – the certification that allows a venue to host a Formula 1 race – all the following could theoretically put on a grand prix that aren’t currently on the schedule:
Circuit
Country
Grade 1 Licence expires
Estoril
Portugal
31.01.2026
Hockenheim
Germany
03.04.2028
Imola
Italy
25.03.2027
Magny-Cours
France
15.05.2028
Mugello
Italy
08.05.2028
Nürburgring
Germany
04.07.2028
Paul Ricard
France
26.07.2027
Portimão
Portugal
31.01.2026
*information correct as of July 2025.
Of course, not all of these circuits produce unmissable action. Some of them hosted races over the pandemic and they’re hardly missed from our television screens – yes Paul Ricard, I am looking at you. Others haven’t welcomed F1 back in almost three decades, such as Estoril which last appeared for the 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix.