Dutch GP may need to alternate annually, F1 CEO admits

Dutch political leaders are now "listening" to concerns about potentially losing their Formula 1 event after the year 2025.

Robert van Overdijk, director at Zandvoort, has been highlighting for several weeks the hesitancy of race promoters to enter a new deal with Liberty Media.

"The interest is still very high," he noted on Friday. "The grand prix will remain great fun for at least two more editions. And then we will see what happens next."

He made it clear that there are no conflicts with Formula 1 itself.

"Let me just make one thing clear," he pointed out. "I think I can say that because Stefano Domenicali himself has already said something about it. We were not named promoter of the year for nothing. So the choice is ours.

It is not the case that FOM still has to make a choice, that is clear."

The issue, as van Overdijk stated, is simply financial.

"Sometimes it is good to put it very simply," he explained. "Three years ago we took a huge financial risk. The cost estimate is now around 75 million euros for a weekend event. Is it ok to seek a bit of comfort before you sign again?"

The Dutch GP is notable for not receiving any state funding.

"We are not asking the government for anything, let that be clear," van Overdijk firmly said. "We have shown in recent years that we can perfectly stand on our own two feet.

Incidentally, I am now finding a listening ear among party leaders, and this is the first time. That may sound very strange if you have been organising the largest event in the Netherlands for a number of years, but we did not have that with the previous cabinet. This cabinet is listening.

"That does not mean anything and we are not asking for it either. But it is quite nice that a number of party leaders are showing their faces this weekend," he concluded.

F1 CEO Domenicali, speaking at Zandvoort, mentioned that a new alternating host scheme for two European races might preserve the Dutch GP in 2026 and beyond.

"It is no secret that we are looking at different options for the future," he shared with De Telegraaf.

"It could be that this race will continue to exist annually, depending on how the local organisation assesses that. Or maybe they think it is more interesting to rotate with another circuit? We are also looking at that," added the Italian.

"The goal is to have an agreement before the end of the year. I am convinced that this place has a future. They deserve that because they have been an example for many other grand prix organisers, and we won't forget that. The ball is more in Zandvoort's court than ours," Domenicali concluded.

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