This year will be the penultimate year for the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. After 2026, Formula 1 will leave The Netherlands. The organisers claim they want to bow out at the peak of their success. It is unlikely that F1 will return to The Netherlands anytime soon. The Arab nations are pouring millions into the sport. The organisation’s focus is also shifting toward Africa and the rest of Asia. But if the F1 does come back to The Netherlands (a little chance is also a chance); Assen should be its next home.
Let’s look at some facts about the TT Circuit: it has hosted a Grand Prix for over a century. Granted, it is been in a different category of racing: motorbikes. Besides hosting MotoGP, Assen has also been a venue for superbike and motocross championships. Because of this rich history, Assen was in the race for the Dutch GP in 2018. In fact, it was even on standby in case Zandvoort couldn’t finalise its plans. Eventually, Zandvoort was chosen.
It is understandable why Assen was not picked. The circuit has its strengths but is not quite F1-ready. Its corners and straights are smoother and less demanding for F1 cars. Moreover, Assen’s location in a less urbanised area means fewer relevant facilities like hotels. And while Assen boasts a motorsport legacy, it lacks a long-standing connection to auto racing. Older Dutch motorsport fans remember Niki Lauda’s and Jan Lammers’ victories in Zandvoort. Such nostalgia gives Zandvoort an edge. History was a key factor for FOM and FIA in selecting Zandvoort.
And yet … it is not entirely unthinkable. Compared to Assen, the Arabian Peninsula is even a newcomer to Formula 1. They had to build entire tracks from scratch. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi-Arabia, for example, is less than five years old but was made F1-ready. Older circuits, too, required upgrades before being suitable for F1. In Barcelona, overtaking was once notoriously difficult. The Austrian Red Bull Ring had to undergo technical and safety enhancements (even in 2024, its track limits needed updates). Yet these circuits found their place on the F1 calendar.
If Assen were to adjust its layout to improve overtaking opportunities and boost safety measures (such as larger run-off areas), it could also become fit for hosting a series of Grands Prix. A hypothetical GP Assen would be well-situated in the north of the Netherlands. Railways and motorways are nearby, making it easily accessible for fans from Germany and Scandinavia. The city’s experience with hosting major motorsport events could prove invaluable. Even Mother Nature might approve: Zandvoort’s dunes suffered from noise and nitrogen pollution: 6000 kilogrammes max; 10.000 kilogrammes under normal circumstances.
The only things left? The TT’s willingness and a rock-solid lobby.