Verstappen and Hamilton express disappointment as Zandvoort is set to leave the F1 calendar after 2026, marking the end of a cherished race.
Max Verstappen stated that he was disappointed to see his home race disappear from the Formula 1 calendar after 2026.
However, Verstappen also admitted that he never expected to have the opportunity to race at Zandvoort in Formula 1 when his career began.
Formula 1 returned to the Netherlands three years ago for the first time since 1985. However, on Wednesday, the event promoters announced that the Dutch Grand Prix would not continue beyond 2026.
Verstappen mentioned that the event promoters should be proud of the race’s success since its return to the calendar.
“Of course, when I look at it, it’s something that makes me sad, that it won’t continue. But on the other hand, I’m also very proud of what they’ve done.”
“When I started in Formula 1, I never imagined we’d return to Zandvoort. And the races we’ve had there, the event they’ve organized, I have a lot of respect for that and I’m proud to have played a part in it.”
The race has attracted large, enthusiastic crowds every time F1 has visited. But it has become somewhat too closely associated with Max Verstappen, to the point where organizers fear significant losses if Verstappen retires from F1 while the Grand Prix remains.
“Seeing all the fans there was and is, of course, amazing, and I’m really looking forward to the last two years. I understand their point of view and I can’t guarantee anything about my long-term future in F1.”
“But they can be very proud of what they’ve achieved. I think the final year, 2026, with a sprint event as well, will end on a high note. So I’m also very excited to see that.”
Lewis Hamilton, who fought for the championship against Verstappen in 2021 when the championship returned to Zandvoort, also lamented the loss of the event from the calendar.
“It’s really sad to lose Zandvoort. Especially since the crowd is incredible there. There are so many fans, obviously mainly for Max, but in general, it’s the fans who make the sport what it is.”
“There are several races on the calendar – I won’t mention which ones, but you know which ones – that don’t attract many people, but financially, I guess they can cover them, regardless of the cost.”
“I think F1 is doing very, very well, and we need to make sure we keep the historic races, of which Zandvoort is, for me, a part.”
Piastri issues a warning to Formula 1.
Oscar Piastri also urged F1 not to rush into replacing too many classic circuits from the calendar.
“We have to be careful as a sport not to get rid of all the tracks we’ve all grown up on.”
“If you ask most drivers on the grid, their favourite track – maybe apart from Suzuka – is probably somewhere in Europe. And I think we need to be careful not to get rid of all those tracks. Some of them are already off the calendar, but I think we’d all like to see them back.”
Zandvoort has one of the smallest paddocks of any circuit visited by F1, and teams have even less space available if the grid expands in 2026 to accommodate the new Cadillac team.
“It’s a bit of a logistical challenge, racing at Zandvoort with the layout of the track, the split paddock and that kind of thing,” admits Piastri. “So it’s demanding, and obviously, we have another team that will add to that demand.”
“But I think we need to be cautious as a sport because many of the tracks that will disappear from the calendar are probably the ones we all really love. So I think we need to be a bit more careful about which ones we get rid of.”
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F1 Set to Lose Zandvoort After 2026, Verstappen Speaks F1 Set to Lose Zandvoort After 2026, Verstappen Speaks F1 Set to Lose Zandvoort After 2026, Verstappen Speaks
