Hello Marc, the Zandvoort track was designed by Hans Hugenholtz known as John Hugenholtz. He also designed Suzuka in Japan (1962) which bears some similarities to Zandvoort and further more: Zolder in Belgium (1963) - Hockenheimring -stadium section (1965) - Jarama in Spain (1967) - Ontario Motor Speedway - in cooperation with Michael Parker (1970) - Nijvel in Belgium (1971). The Zandvoort track is a pure joy to drive on. In my very much younger years (15) I had the pleasure to ramble along this circuit on a beautiful sunny day in one of Colin Chapmans Lotus Junior cars. I was beating all the other, much older gentleman who invited me for the occasion along with my father. They were the classy types that owned AC Cobra's and Le Mans Bentley's privately. My dad had taught me how to drive in his old Citroen 11 sport. A very slow vintage car with an extremely heavy steering wheel. Thank you for your MP245.
Zandvoort is the ideal circuit to defend. It's like it was designed with defending in mind. There will be zero overtakes,. Even the Tarzan will be easy to defend. Just drive in the middle of the track basically. People who don't believe me, go watch an F3 or a DTM race on Zandvoort right here on TH-cam.
Unfortunately it's not about the quality of race. It's bums on seats, money in the till. Have we ever seen a great race at Abu Dhabi. Nah. And we've been going there for 10 years !
Are you honestly comparing Yas Marina with Zandvoort? You're comparing the most beautiful circuit with the ugly duckling. As for the racing, I have seen plenty of entertaining races at Yad Marina. Compared to Zandvoort, Yas Marina is action packed. Expect no overtakes at all at Zandvoort.
Orangesherbert71 2012 was a corker. Kimi won. Vettel hit everything and everyone. Plenty of overtakes and action up and down the field. 2010 from the drama and tension. 2016 was similar.
The circuits both have their pros and cons. But damm the Assen atmosphere has always been great, the facilities are amazing just look at the new grandstands they build amazing! The circuit layout is challenging for both tracks Assen and Zandvoort aren't your typical F1 tracks. You should do a video of Assen as well !(if possible ofc).
I can’t give an educated opinion living in New York but I started watching F1 as a kid in the late 70’s and early 80’s and Zandvoort was always a great race and a wonderful exotic location. It’s like F1 goes to the beach. So out of pure nostalgia I like Zandvoort. Either way a Dutch GO is mandatory for F1’s future.
@@henriwolbrink geen. Het enige wat aangepast gaat worden is de ruskenhoek. Deze blijft gewoon zoals hij is voor motoren. maar het wordt verlengd over de asfaltplaat voor de f1 wagens. En de strubben word verbreedt maar heeft geen effect voor de motoren.
The uploads are coming thick and fast as we head toward the season opener and I absolutely love it. And it's all fantastic, creative content. Thank you for putting in all of this time and effort, Marc!
Would love to see more old style tracks like this on the calendar but regarding Monaco, it exists because it is high roller territory. Most tracks can't compare to that in terms of places people want to see or be seen. I hope they succeed though and good interview with Mr. Bleekemolen. Big fan of his son.
Its always windy in Zandvoort. and as the dunesand under the track is always moving, the bumps on it vary from place year to year. As much downsides this track has, I prefer to see this over any "citytrack" anytime.
I agree. If you remove all fake drs overtakes then there are plenty of tracks that are impossible to overtake. I think most overtakes will happen here, because drivers will make errors. This is a very challenging circuit with the current f1 cars. Also the demand on tyres/tires will force a 2 stop if Pirelli allows it.
You're wrong, the sandbase is the most stable you can get, on top of that the asphalt is not just posed on the sand, there is some 50 cm of hard stone based layer underneath. I have raced at Zandvoort since 1971 and have never experienced new bumps!
The BBC 2 coverage was good, and Marc made it special! Jamie Chadwick was okay, but the BBC host was appalling. She wouldn't know racing if it hit her in the face
I went to one of those Melbourn Masters in Zandvoort, I think in either 96 or 95. This was when I got grabbed by the Formula1 spectacle. I watched some races before but this was the first eye in eye with the sport. I clearly remember hearing the beasts of then switch gears on the other side of the circuit and hearing them roar past me on one the dunes. I also managed to to fall asleep there (had hearing protection)
I also have no comparison to Assen. However what I see is a track that reminds me in part of Donnington Park in the UK, Monaco, and toned down elements of a US track like Laguna Seca. All drivers circuits, and all circuits that deliver really exciting racing. The dunes seem to add something here. The track width does seem to be an issue, and access/accommodation for spectators might be. I really like the fact that it will give the engineers a really hard time to set up the cars, and as a result leave the drivers to work it out for themselves. Bring a little bit of 'carting' back to F1? Yup, I think that could work. Perhaps you could visit Assen and see what you think there?
As for the 'grandstands' (-seats); during bigger events they always build temporary ones every time; very functional, useful and -more than- solid enough, no problem! ;-)
Doesn't look that narrow in the video, must be wider than some of the street circuits. Love the elevation and banking of the track, that must be a challence for the drivers. Zandvoort is also a very nice place off circuit. There is one major problem and that is getting in and out of Zandvoort. It must be done with public transportation because it's only a tiny place with tiny roads, it has got a train station!
While some people think its not going to be a good venue due to it being a tight circuit, i believe that Zandvoort is the place for F1 to return to, partly due to its history, but mainly because this is one hell of a demanding track. This track separates the men from the boys, it always has, and it still does. Sure, overtaking wont be easy here, but thats where the "men vs boys" part comes from, those who understand the track, will be front-runners, sheer speed is not the answer here. I personally, want more tracks like this one, to (return) come to F1, making the driver the deciding factor again, instead of just having the fastest car. Modern tracks are too flat, too wide and too calculated, and we could do with less of that i think, these tracks dont favor the best drivers as much, as it does favors the fastest car. No, i'd say, find every "Zandvoort" type of track, and have races on those, make the drivers be the ones to be the deciding factor again, and i'm sure the races will be more spectacular as well.
It's just what F1 needs,, camping trackside,, bring an endurance kinda vibe ,, I'd love to see it! Maybe the teams could bring the cars on trailers towed by transit vans to save space! Lol.
FYI: I am Dutch and would love a Dutch GP, but I am very afraid a Dutch GP at Zandvoort as it is right now would be very boring since overtaking is almost impossible. Yes, they can widen the straights (there really only is one straight that allows DRS overtakes), but all other corners are too tight to have two cars side by side. I would not like to see another circuit where overtaking is impossible, that is already difficult enough with these wide cars :-) I agree that qualifying on such a track would be an amazing spectacle though. Furthermore: Prince Bernhard is not going to pay for this, even though he is very rich. He is looking at sponsors and the government to pay for the transition of (t)his circuit. Bernhard is a business man, he is not going to put money into a bottomless pit like hosting F1 races. The alternative is Assen. No, it does not have the F1 heritage that Zandvoort has, but it is much more modern, is situated directly next to a big motorway and is therefore very accessible. Assen is known from the TT races and is really a motorcycle circuit. The problem Assen has is that there are no major cities or international airports in its immediate vicinity. Will that stop F1? I don't know. To be honest I don't care where the race is held. A Dutch GP would be great, but neither location is ideal. Zandvoort has the best chances due to its heritage and would be a Monaco-style GP with lots of compromises and little problems that are acceptable due to its heritage, which seems to be very important to Liberty Media. 2020 is very close now and there is still a lot to do, we'll see what happens :-)
there is an international airport ca. 25 km from the TT circuit. wich by road is shorter than the trip from schiphol to zandvoort. Yes Eelde is smaller, but has a runway of 2,5 km. so it can accomodate a large plane.
You forget to say that Assen is impossible to overtake as well. Ihave seen an Indycar race there 11 yrs ago and it was like Monaco. Assen should also be a few meters wider, same goes for Zandvoort. Also Assen needs a longer straight followed by a hard braking point but positive thing is that Assen have room for such changes.
I readily believe that F1 racing in Zandvoort might be (too) problematic when it comes to pure racing (in terms of overtaking). But as an event it will be spectacular, that much I can be certain of. I am of the opinion that F1 has enough to offer (qualifying, strategy, exciting situations on track) to make this an amazing sports event, also given all of its limitations. There is no point in comparing it to F3 etc races. This will be in a different beast altogether. Thanks for the video!
We spent so long wondering if we could that we never wondered if we should. It’s a great circuit but I have zero faith that the 2021 regulations will actually fix enough about the cars to race well there, thanks engine manufacturers.
I really, really, really hope not. I've seen too many EURO F3 races there that were processions for me to believe that F1 could ever have a watchable race there.
@@stewartgrindlay9760 for sure the corner after the long "straight", you brake downhill but still go at very fast pace, just lovely.. in general the track flows so nice
Assen is better in almost every way, better for logistics, better for hospitality, better for the size and speed of the cars but Zandvoort is the heart of car racing in The Netherlands and Assen is the heart of motorcycle racing in The Netherlands and Zandvoort has the F1 legacy that the organizers are looking for. My vote is for Zandvoort. Okay, in part because I could ride my bicycle to the race. :-)
Great interview Marc. Very good questions. Great episode. Good analysis. Btw: seems like you know our prince better then some of our dutch people: if he wants something he will achieve it. 20milion a year isnt that big amount: just a strategy so he can get more sponsors or maybe public money before the deadline......
@@Exevium Indeed, he's a complete and utterly despicable douche, as nasty as they come. I know a lot of people are going to be very angry if manages to secure tax-payers money to organise this event.
@@h3x6g0n6 Dutch people getting very angry about tax-payers money, what a joke.. We're getting ripped off with high taxes for many decades already and it's been wasted on plenty of things a lot of people do not agree with all the time, nothing new and a few angry people won't do shit about it.. BTW tax raised yet again, the whole country was up in arms, NOT! Just to name 1 example.
He just needs to sell 20 houses a year. Wich equals to 100 houses. Oh... who am I kidding he is not going to use his own money. Rich people are good at using other peoples money so lets hope he can sweet talk some sponsors.
johnluminor You care about the people, you need free tickets, or keep them cheap? If management proofs the track, investing parties are easy to attract, cheap tickets have nothing to do with that! If they are afraid for to many people getting in, the sell them for more, that's how they regulate that! Safety, security can raise prices too! The only worry is the people on the tracks, is that still save? Picnicking? bring your own food, no issue too, they need real money, not pocket money. Investors money, not the people!
Speaking just from my experience going to various race series at a few tracks, being able to move around and not be in grandstands is so much better. Just my opinion of course but I just preferred being able to wander and find a spot. As for the track, it's no narrower than Monaco or many parts of Baku and Singapore.
I worked with the Marshalls for last year's DTM race (I worked with Ed. Mortara and my friend with Euher) and I must say it was just sooo incredible I can't wait to see 20 F1 cars here someday! (If it's not next year or the years to come, it will be done some other day!)
Zandvoort is such a unique track and it indeed is closer to Monaco than Bahrein in terms of modernness. It’s a historical circuit (there’s great footage from old GPs) at a beach in a nature reserve and all minor downsides will be forgotten as soon as qualifying begins. Just leave in time 😁, bring your flip flops and clean up after yourselves.
Being Dutch and a longtime F1 fan I'd say I hope they go for Zandvoort.. It has all the F1 history and Assen should remain a MotoGP circuit imho.. Zandvoort needs some work though like you said in the video.. I think the straight needs to be extended a bit and the track needs to be made a bit wider to allow for better modern F1 racing.. The infrastructure around the circuit needs work as well, but I think it can be done, there's already a trainstation pretty close.. We'll see what happens, but with the popularity of young Max Verstappen in F1 it is the right time to bring back the Dutch GP..
It nice to see some positive news about Zandvoort. The place were you were standing at the 12 min mark is were I stood as a 8 year old boy during the Dutch grand prix of 1975. I loved it then and still love F1 today. Great report. Thanks.
I'm fairly new to F1 and to Motorsports in general. I've only really started watching in 2017, and last year was the first year I payed attention with any amount of seriousness. My perspective as a newcomer is that some of my favorite races have been those where teams have to overcome interesting and unique challenges. One of the reasons I've really liked Monaco is how ridiculous it is to see massive F1 cars packing into such a narrow street circuit. It's those sort of quirky oddball not quite perfect tracks that have attracted my attention to watch most. In other words, I think that this circuit has problems is actually a good thing. That's just my perspective though.
@@nanderlizernanderlizer684 Except of course there are a few places at Zandvoort where overtaking is possible, and that and the track in general actually does require driver effort. If they don't 'Tilke' it, that is.
I remember the day like yesterday that Max' dad was giving a presentation run here, the tickets were free for the remote visitor places, so super cool. We sat down on one of the hills next to the track near the long back straight. Then Jos stopped exactly in front of us making donuts, that was F*****G INCREDIBLE. I would love to see his son racing here. The width of the track could be an issue, but Monaco can also give the most spectacular results -- especially on a rainy day -- and with all the Orange fans this will give wings, goose bumps even without the energy drink. Thanks for visiting 'Zendfoord' and keeping the topic hot!
I think the biggest challenge of F1 racing at Zandvoort is the infrastructure around the track. There is literally one road that connects the track to the next freeway and everybody (that doenst come by boat or heli) has to take it to get to and off the track. It's already quite a hustle to get away from the track after a DTM weekend and when I think of last year's F1 dilemma at Paul Ricard, I'm pretty sure that the whole coast near Zandvoort will be blocked by cars and there'll be massive trouble with the traffic.
Im Dutch and the only reason to have it at Zandvoort is 'history'. All other reasons (financial, tracklayout, logistic, common sense basically) say it should be Assen or not at all.
Loved your take on this! The most important thing is that there will be a Dutch Grand Prix. Assen could use the attention and is better equipped than Zandvoort. But the track layout is one of a kind in Zandvoort. Loved your footage! If you want to visit Assen I probably could get you in a BMW and let you experience Assen. Keep up the good work!
Get Assetto Corsa and have a go on Zandvoort with the 2017 Ferrari F1 car, was pretty fun. A race here would be crazy. If they are giving this track a look, then why not go back to Watkins Glen?
You are absolutely right. Much too tight and much too old, but it is going to happen! I think prince Bernhard and Mr Frits van Eerd (Jumbo) will be able to raise the money needed. It will be jam packed all weekend with a record amount of visitors. Liberty Media wants it. The GP of Amsterdam near the beach! A race with F1 history and heritage. Assen (much better and modern complex, much better accesible, but no history and heritage) is simply out of the question.
@@SavageRivale absolutely correct. The discussion between Assen and Zandvoort is just insane. Zandvoort hasn't been able to prove anything they're gonna make it and the deadline is coming very soon.
[[Insert Name]] Vietnam, Russia, China, Turkey, and more past, today and future races don’t had or have any F1 heritage so that’s a lot of BS. Facts are Assen have the money, the venue is modern, more seats (65.000 against 2700), know how to host big international races.
Hi Marc, great coverage of the Zandvoort GP circuit. They shuild first start with a F1 event like in Londen, Miami, Moscow over there. And use a F2 race to see how track suits the next big thing. (F2 with de Vries and Verschoor).
Thanks Marc for this great video! This is the place to be for a historic F1 race party....just give it a chanc and you wil see a race and a atmosfer the people won't forget!
Hi Marc, big fan of your channel! Shame I've skipped this saturday of 'Vrij Rijden', or I could've seen you. I usually join the trackdays in Zandvoort or Assen (I have a clip on my channel). On topic, I think the Assen circuit is great for F1. It is wider, faster, and better prepared for a GP. Zandvoort for (in my MX5) me is a more exhilarating experience, basically because of the tighter and technical layout. Though, I can foresee overtaking problems in Zandvoort for F1 cars, let alone the infrastructure problems. Hope to see the Dutch GP in the near future, on either of the circuits!
Michael Chino Yap You can almost touch the ocean! Most windy city, not Chicago at all, Amarillo! I was there too, can't remember the years, just a small kid, i knew some drivers, some kind of little insider there.... Late 70th early 80th, you must remember the Picnicking in the grass....
Great video Mark I really enjoy your video content and your knowledge of F1, very entertaining and informative, I think it be excellent to have a Dutch grand prix again and I think with some work Zandvoort could be a great F1 track like it was back when they used to race F1 there.
Our country has two circuirs running for a spot on the F1 calendar. TT-Assen, a modern track with all capabilities for formula one and the visitors. They can organise the race almost inmidiatly. They have the money already. 50.000 official parkingspots and a solid public transport service. Seats for more than 150.000 visitors. A modern and safe track and padock. And the other track is Zandvoort. Track needs a huge update. They need a complete rebuild of the padock, safety, no place for visitors, ok i lie about 30.000 sitting in the sand with tickets they bought for about 200 euro's.. no parking and they don't have the money to organise. Also they are asking all visitors to come on bicycle or train 😅. Good luck for those who come from far. For now the choice of FOM is strangly zandvoort only because of their F1 history. If they don't have a solid buisinessplan by the 31th of march the F1 will go to the TT circuit of assen. The dutch f1 will be in may 2020. I do hope the F1 comes to the netherlands and i wish all the luck to zandvoort. But if we want a solid grandprix were visitors can get in a normal amount of time. And were everyone can sit with a good view. Were f1 teams have all the space they needs. And much more. Than Assen is the only choice for a grand prix.👍🏁 (edit: i wrote all this before watching)
Thanks Marc for the video. Other interesting point for a Dutch Gp is the weather. The Calendar could use more rainy Gp's. Being Dutch I think would be nice to have GP however afraid zandvoort or even Assen are tracks where it's hard to overtake. And nobody is really looking for boring races.
Agree, I noticed it is really tight and narrow after driving it on Assetto Corsa a while back. Passing opportunities seem scarce because of the twisty sections as well. Not sure how great it would be for modern F1 cars...
Being a F1 fan for almost 50 years, I’ve lucky to have been to Zandvoort for the F1 races in the late 70’s up until the last one in 85. To me, Zandvoort is a great circuit. Best spot is on the top of a dune left of the grandstand. You see the straight and the first corner (Tarzanbocht) and you can follow the cars when they’re on the high parts of the circuit. And when you turn around you see the Northsea really nearby. With the exception of Spa, it is my favourit circuit. I know Assen maby looks smoother, butto me Assen is the Tempel of motorbikes, But Zandvoort is the place to be for F1! And parking is no problem. You just take your bicycle with you, park your car in one of the surrounding villages and do the last bit by bike! Or better still, make it a great long weekend, in the hotels or campgrounds and enjoy the beach as well!
Zandvoort for me is a great GT4 track, but anything faster and wider I feel will result in processions. Blancpain is there this year with a large grid of GT3 , so it will be interesting to see how that race unfolds and maybe an indicator of sorts to whether Formula 1 is a viable race, or is it to get a Dutch Grand Prix to satisfy popularity, like we had 2 Spanish tracks for Alonso. I think Assen is a better option too, but maybe there are difficulties with financing (as is happening to many tracks) or scheduling.
@@TestarossaF110 I totally agree, I was so glad to see French Grand Prix return too. But for all the talk of regulation changes to improve racing, Zandvoort seems an odd choice to me. Seems to me the choice of some tracks on Calendar is more about money they can make from circuit rather than promoting what many would like to see.
Zandvoort has the same Dutch designer as Suzuka. ;) With the difference that Suzuka evolved over time, but Zandvoort didn't change since the 70s. Hence Assen is the better place on all levels, and Assen has the DTM from this year on instead of Zandvoort.
@@LogiForce86 the current lay-out of Zandvoort is from 2001..... So YES, Zandvoort changed! The only reason why the DTM is going to Assen is because Zandvoort declined a new contract! Also the Red Bull Ring is not included in the DTM calender of 2019 ;) Instead of the DTM Zandvoort will get the Blancpain GT World Challenge. I always wonder..... If Assen is really better.... Why does Zandvoort have more FIA races?? Zandvoort is still in the Top 5 of many many international drivers!
Great video Marc, and loved the in car footage in the BMW! I see this as similar to F1 going back to somewhere like Brands Hatch in the U.K? Having read a lot of the other comments it seems overtaking would be an issue, and Monaco can be a frustration to watch quicker drivers essentially stuck behind slower cars for many laps, however despite this something tells me F1 needs a change towards circuits like this and away from the clinical tracks with huge run off and no atmosphere. Not sure how it would work but I for one would love to see it happen!
yes marc i think Zandvoort is fine. Whether the reason the Dutch GP came off the calendar in the first place happens again is another matter. Id like to see at least one of the Tilke tracks off and this one on. One could quite easily see an Alfa, Renault or a Racing Point car coming through others tyre deg issues to win.
The straight in to the Audi S is to short, its about 500 meters, it should be extended to atleast 800. (which is possible with removing the Audi S and going in to the infield area) It also would need to be extended (which is also possible, by extending the east loop, past the golfcourse driving range and going between the 2 ponds) I would also move the pitline to the westside of the mainstraight, placing the pitentrance in between Kumho and Luyendyk, seperating Luyendyk corner from the pitentrance with a 'saver wall' as we see in oval racing.
We have too many follow the leader races which depend on accidents and incidents in order to mix up the tires and field in order to make the race interesting.
@@F1Elvis Yesss!.. And there have been a whole lot more adjustments to the cirquit than you and everybody else thought at first! This should be a great before and after comparison and i can't wait to hear what you think of it!!! 😎😎😎😎😃
Loved seeing the track again. We need this type of course where drivers pay a penalty for going off the track. Not for wimps. I remember when they had F1 races many, many, years ago.
I've only ever seen the dutch tracks on games and I don't think they're suitable for how wide the current cars are but they definitely need to get a race there some how.
Brilliant episode, a refreshing break from all the 2019 tech talk on other channels. Spot on questions and really objective review as always. Top job mate 👌
Maybe go to Assen aswell to be able to compare the two? For me personally it should be Zandvoort, i was at the last Grand Prix in 85 as a teenager seeing my favorite driver (Niki Lauda) win his final Grand Prix Victory and i would love to be at the first return Grand Prix in about 35 Years (ow god i am getting old) later. I also think that Zandvoort is closer to Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport which would make it the more interesting location for fans (from inside and outside the country).
Being Dutch i would love to see F1 on Zandvoort but the circuit and the infrastructure is not ready right now. Needs a lot of work, but it would be packed with Dutch fans for sure. Thanks for the video again!
Zandvoort is in my opinion the only track to host the Dutch grand prix in 2020. It has history with F1, and the designer of this track Hans Hugenholtz, designed a lot of epic F1 tracks. Suzuka, Japan (1962), Zolder, Belgium (1963), Hockenheimring, Germany (1965) Zandvoort is an Amazing track for F1.
Marc, I think you need to go to Assen as well to have a look just like you did at Zandvoort. You can only give a true opinion if you have evaluated both tracks equally as much.
@@F1Elvis I am not asking you to mix into the battle of the Dutch GP. Although you basically already did by making this video in my opinion. What I was aiming for with my comment is going to view Assen and evaluate that track like you did Zandvoort, and give balanced view on what both tracks have to work towards in an ideal situation. With at most saying... we need the flow of Zandvoort, pitboxes of Assen, Surroundings of Zandvoort, accessibility of Assen, et cetera in an ideal situation. Anyway, to me Michel his interviewed did show me that they think to lightly of accommodating an F1 event. On the other side the MotoGP at Assen has always been one of the biggest events next to the Isle of Man on the two wheeler calendar, so that site is just more up to date with a lot of stuff. I can also appreciate the appeal of history, the dunes and the flow of Zandvoort in general though. The track just needs more work than they have money and time for, and of they want to host a 2019 GP you'd already think they'd be working 24/7 on that track as we speak.
I must say that I have been quite sceptical of how realistic it is to race in Zandvoort. But after watching your video, I can already see a lot of positives. The short track offers a boatload of laps to see the cars come round. I hope they can find a bit of room to give room for overtaking though. And traffic would be quite a feat to manage with buses, trains etc. Maybe they could also make something of a floating VIP camp at the beach. One thing I really like aobut what you say here (following Bleekemolen) is why really wouldn't F1 do things differently than it has done under Bernie. Go to places that offer a lot of flavour, maybe with more contstraints to the facilities. I love if F1 can create more variation in what tracks offer, so maybe having a Zandvoort there, something like a Monaco in the dunes would be quite interesting.
I drove on both Assen and Zandvoort. I am not real race driver, but from a driver's perspective Zandvoort is much more interesting than Assen. That said, getting in and out of the venue at Zandvoort is a horrible experience: It took me 3 hours to get my car out of the paddock after a big event. Assen has a much better location and infrastructure due to the fact they still host the Moto GP every year, so the logistics have been kept up to date for hosting really big events. Assen's paddock is also much bigger. However, Zandvoort does have that F1 heritage. Neither have a lot of grandstands though. So there's pro's and con's vor both venues. Hard one to call.
I would like to see money put into Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport). There is enough land there to build onto the track and build garages. Hopefully in my lifetime, it's already a more exciting track than Montreal.
Assen is a well respected and preferred motorbike circuit. Changing parts of it could be disappointing for the biker community. Now Zandvoort is for cars and Assen for bikes. And what will Liberty do after 5 years? For me Zandvoort has my preference.
Marc, I was last at Zanvdvoort in 1988 and, although the track has changed a little out the back those garages are very much asi remember back then. I think the last GP there was 1984? But I may be wrong there....
Great report Marc. I now wonder how they managed back in the days of James & Nikki... Something in your vid was off though... no lap on the skateboard ?!?.... ;-)
I loved Zandvoort in Grand Prix Legends and I loved it in real life a few years ago with my Caterham. Without aero and with narrow cars this circuit is a true blast to drive. But I fear with today's F1 we simply would have a boring procession. So please let us remember Zandvoort as the fantastic circuit it was in the past and don't make it the future synonym of "that race where nobody overtakes".
Thanks Marc for the video and your visit to Zandvoort. Myself I am pro Dutch Grand Prix, so agnostic to where it would be held. Having said that, I love the flowing track at Zandvoort too much to ignore. Regarding traffic: if paul ricard can cope with F1, for sure Zandvoort can. I for sure will bike myself to the track at the weekend. Enjoy HK race!
Another great vid! I'm dutch, and i'm pretty sure the sight of 20 f1 cars breaking into the Tarzan corner will be spectacular, but the track is so narrow that the racing will be appaling. It's barely wide enough for F3
Hello Marc, the Zandvoort track was designed by Hans Hugenholtz known as John Hugenholtz. He also designed Suzuka in Japan (1962) which bears some similarities to Zandvoort and further more: Zolder in Belgium (1963) - Hockenheimring -stadium section (1965) - Jarama in Spain (1967) - Ontario Motor Speedway - in cooperation with Michael Parker (1970) - Nijvel in Belgium (1971).
The Zandvoort track is a pure joy to drive on. In my very much younger years (15) I had the pleasure to ramble along this circuit on a beautiful sunny day in one of Colin Chapmans Lotus Junior cars. I was beating all the other, much older gentleman who invited me for the occasion along with my father. They were the classy types that owned AC Cobra's and Le Mans Bentley's privately. My dad had taught me how to drive in his old Citroen 11 sport. A very slow vintage car with an extremely heavy steering wheel. Thank you for your MP245.
TBH most modern GPs are boring.. to wide, too easy, no risk... This is what F1 needs! It needs to happen!
Zandvoort is the ideal circuit to defend. It's like it was designed with defending in mind. There will be zero overtakes,. Even the Tarzan will be easy to defend. Just drive in the middle of the track basically. People who don't believe me, go watch an F3 or a DTM race on Zandvoort right here on TH-cam.
Anyone who has followed EURO F3 over the past few years knows an F1 race here is a dreadful idea.
Unfortunately it's not about the quality of race. It's bums on seats, money in the till. Have we ever seen a great race at Abu Dhabi. Nah. And we've been going there for 10 years !
Are you honestly comparing Yas Marina with Zandvoort? You're comparing the most beautiful circuit with the ugly duckling. As for the racing, I have seen plenty of entertaining races at Yad Marina. Compared to Zandvoort, Yas Marina is action packed. Expect no overtakes at all at Zandvoort.
Orangesherbert71 2012 was a corker. Kimi won. Vettel hit everything and everyone. Plenty of overtakes and action up and down the field. 2010 from the drama and tension. 2016 was similar.
You can't pass there with Mini Coopers
The circuits both have their pros and cons. But damm the Assen atmosphere has always been great, the facilities are amazing just look at the new grandstands they build amazing! The circuit layout is challenging for both tracks Assen and Zandvoort aren't your typical F1 tracks. You should do a video of Assen as well !(if possible ofc).
It's official! IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN! WOOP WOOP!
Yo! Did you all see that unicorn? A race spec E30 M3! Classic race car.
I can’t give an educated opinion living in New York but I started watching F1 as a kid in the late 70’s and early 80’s and Zandvoort was always a great race and a wonderful exotic location. It’s like F1 goes to the beach. So out of pure nostalgia I like Zandvoort. Either way a Dutch GO is mandatory for F1’s future.
Would be interesting if you also went to Assen for an objective comparison.
Zijn ze niet uit de race voor F1 nu?
@@Ronny999x Volgens Assen niet, dat was een PR stunt van Ziggo/Prins Bernhard om mensen achter zich te krijgen.
You are welkome here any day! After March 31, Assen is ready to host!
Als circuit in Assen aangepast moet worden. Wat is dan het gevolg voor de motoren?
@@henriwolbrink geen. Het enige wat aangepast gaat worden is de ruskenhoek. Deze blijft gewoon zoals hij is voor motoren. maar het wordt verlengd over de asfaltplaat voor de f1 wagens. En de strubben word verbreedt maar heeft geen effect voor de motoren.
The uploads are coming thick and fast as we head toward the season opener and I absolutely love it. And it's all fantastic, creative content. Thank you for putting in all of this time and effort, Marc!
Would love to see more old style tracks like this on the calendar but regarding Monaco, it exists because it is high roller territory. Most tracks can't compare to that in terms of places people want to see or be seen. I hope they succeed though and good interview with Mr. Bleekemolen. Big fan of his son.
Its always windy in Zandvoort. and as the dunesand under the track is always moving, the bumps on it vary from place year to year. As much downsides this track has, I prefer to see this over any "citytrack" anytime.
I agree. If you remove all fake drs overtakes then there are plenty of tracks that are impossible to overtake. I think most overtakes will happen here, because drivers will make errors. This is a very challenging circuit with the current f1 cars. Also the demand on tyres/tires will force a 2 stop if Pirelli allows it.
You're wrong, the sandbase is the most stable you can get, on top of that the asphalt is not just posed on the sand, there is some 50 cm of hard stone based layer underneath. I have raced at Zandvoort since 1971 and have never experienced new bumps!
Great to see you on BBC 2 this morning for formula E! The f1 broadcasters and fans are losing out by not having your input
The BBC 2 coverage was good, and Marc made it special! Jamie Chadwick was okay, but the BBC host was appalling. She wouldn't know racing if it hit her in the face
I went to one of those Melbourn Masters in Zandvoort, I think in either 96 or 95. This was when I got grabbed by the Formula1 spectacle. I watched some races before but this was the first eye in eye with the sport.
I clearly remember hearing the beasts of then switch gears on the other side of the circuit and hearing them roar past me on one the dunes.
I also managed to to fall asleep there (had hearing protection)
I also have no comparison to Assen. However what I see is a track that reminds me in part of Donnington Park in the UK, Monaco, and toned down elements of a US track like Laguna Seca. All drivers circuits, and all circuits that deliver really exciting racing. The dunes seem to add something here. The track width does seem to be an issue, and access/accommodation for spectators might be. I really like the fact that it will give the engineers a really hard time to set up the cars, and as a result leave the drivers to work it out for themselves. Bring a little bit of 'carting' back to F1? Yup, I think that could work. Perhaps you could visit Assen and see what you think there?
As for the 'grandstands' (-seats); during bigger events they always build temporary ones every time; very functional, useful and -more than- solid enough, no problem! ;-)
Great video of the track
Doesn't look that narrow in the video, must be wider than some of the street circuits. Love the elevation and banking of the track, that must be a challence for the drivers. Zandvoort is also a very nice place off circuit. There is one major problem and that is getting in and out of Zandvoort. It must be done with public transportation because it's only a tiny place with tiny roads, it has got a train station!
Rent a (MOTOR-)BIKE! ;-)
While some people think its not going to be a good venue due to it being a tight circuit, i believe that Zandvoort is the place for F1 to return to, partly due to its history, but mainly because this is one hell of a demanding track.
This track separates the men from the boys, it always has, and it still does.
Sure, overtaking wont be easy here, but thats where the "men vs boys" part comes from, those who understand the track, will be front-runners, sheer speed is not the answer here.
I personally, want more tracks like this one, to (return) come to F1, making the driver the deciding factor again, instead of just having the fastest car.
Modern tracks are too flat, too wide and too calculated, and we could do with less of that i think, these tracks dont favor the best drivers as much, as it does favors the fastest car.
No, i'd say, find every "Zandvoort" type of track, and have races on those, make the drivers be the ones to be the deciding factor again, and i'm sure the races will be more spectacular as well.
Hear, hear!
It's just what F1 needs,, camping trackside,, bring an endurance kinda vibe ,, I'd love to see it! Maybe the teams could bring the cars on trailers towed by transit vans to save space! Lol.
😂
FYI: I am Dutch and would love a Dutch GP, but I am very afraid a Dutch GP at Zandvoort as it is right now would be very boring since overtaking is almost impossible. Yes, they can widen the straights (there really only is one straight that allows DRS overtakes), but all other corners are too tight to have two cars side by side. I would not like to see another circuit where overtaking is impossible, that is already difficult enough with these wide cars :-) I agree that qualifying on such a track would be an amazing spectacle though.
Furthermore: Prince Bernhard is not going to pay for this, even though he is very rich. He is looking at sponsors and the government to pay for the transition of (t)his circuit. Bernhard is a business man, he is not going to put money into a bottomless pit like hosting F1 races.
The alternative is Assen. No, it does not have the F1 heritage that Zandvoort has, but it is much more modern, is situated directly next to a big motorway and is therefore very accessible. Assen is known from the TT races and is really a motorcycle circuit. The problem Assen has is that there are no major cities or international airports in its immediate vicinity. Will that stop F1? I don't know.
To be honest I don't care where the race is held. A Dutch GP would be great, but neither location is ideal. Zandvoort has the best chances due to its heritage and would be a Monaco-style GP with lots of compromises and little problems that are acceptable due to its heritage, which seems to be very important to Liberty Media. 2020 is very close now and there is still a lot to do, we'll see what happens :-)
there is an international airport ca. 25 km from the TT circuit. wich by road is shorter than the trip from schiphol to zandvoort.
Yes Eelde is smaller, but has a runway of 2,5 km. so it can accomodate a large plane.
A lot needs to happen but I'm sure it will!
Let planes land on the straight in Assen 😉👍🏼
You forget to say that Assen is impossible to overtake as well. Ihave seen an Indycar race there 11 yrs ago and it was like Monaco. Assen should also be a few meters wider, same goes for Zandvoort. Also Assen needs a longer straight followed by a hard braking point but positive thing is that Assen have room for such changes.
Peter Blom the back straight is going to get extended for the f1 race. They are cutting out turn 6 and 7 and go straight on to turn 8.
I readily believe that F1 racing in Zandvoort might be (too) problematic when it comes to pure racing (in terms of overtaking). But as an event it will be spectacular, that much I can be certain of. I am of the opinion that F1 has enough to offer (qualifying, strategy, exciting situations on track) to make this an amazing sports event, also given all of its limitations. There is no point in comparing it to F3 etc races. This will be in a different beast altogether. Thanks for the video!
We spent so long wondering if we could that we never wondered if we should.
It’s a great circuit but I have zero faith that the 2021 regulations will actually fix enough about the cars to race well there, thanks engine manufacturers.
And......its on!
i have driven there myself, and turn 3 will be just total fking carnage..
as much as i want it, i cannot see it happen
I really, really, really hope not. I've seen too many EURO F3 races there that were processions for me to believe that F1 could ever have a watchable race there.
MrGeblitzt what was your favourite corner?
@@stewartgrindlay9760 for sure the corner after the long "straight", you brake downhill but still go at very fast pace, just lovely..
in general the track flows so nice
Is that the hairpin? I can foresee problems there too....no runoff and no way of fixing it.
MrGeblitzt I have own walked it but it’s a great course and your right it flows well but F1 is a diff monster
Great video mate! very thorough
If F1 can be at Monaco, space should not be a problem ( i wrote this too soon watching the video) 🤯
Monaco is a special track and is an exception to the FIA. Zandvoort won't have that special rights.
Monaco is boring, the only reason the FOM goes to Monaco is the glamour. Zandvoort will be just as boring but without the glamour.
Monaco is an awfull grand prix , should've been scrapped year's ago.
Zandvoort can be exciting. Qualifay brillint .... climate tell 20 day's a month where is does rain as average over last 30 years so .... nice
@@sekhyhybrid6701 Monaco is not a special track, it's really awful.
Assen is better in almost every way, better for logistics, better for hospitality, better for the size and speed of the cars but Zandvoort is the heart of car racing in The Netherlands and Assen is the heart of motorcycle racing in The Netherlands and Zandvoort has the F1 legacy that the organizers are looking for. My vote is for Zandvoort. Okay, in part because I could ride my bicycle to the race. :-)
Also if you own or rent a MOTORBIKE, it's (very) easy to reach ánd park, by the way...! ;-)
Great interview Marc. Very good questions. Great episode. Good analysis.
Btw: seems like you know our prince better then some of our dutch people: if he wants something he will achieve it. 20milion a year isnt that big amount: just a strategy so he can get more sponsors or maybe public money before the deadline......
@@matjojo1000 He does make his money by extorting the people who rent his houses. But yeah, he does make a lot of money.
@@Exevium Indeed, he's a complete and utterly despicable douche, as nasty as they come.
I know a lot of people are going to be very angry if manages to secure tax-payers money to organise this event.
@@h3x6g0n6 Dutch people getting very angry about tax-payers money, what a joke.. We're getting ripped off with high taxes for many decades already and it's been wasted on plenty of things a lot of people do not agree with all the time, nothing new and a few angry people won't do shit about it.. BTW tax raised yet again, the whole country was up in arms, NOT! Just to name 1 example.
He just needs to sell 20 houses a year. Wich equals to 100 houses. Oh... who am I kidding he is not going to use his own money. Rich people are good at using other peoples money so lets hope he can sweet talk some sponsors.
johnluminor
You care about the people, you need free tickets, or keep them cheap?
If management proofs the track, investing parties are easy to attract, cheap tickets have nothing to do with that!
If they are afraid for to many people getting in, the sell them for more, that's how they regulate that!
Safety, security can raise prices too! The only worry is the people on the tracks, is that still save? Picnicking? bring your own food, no issue too, they need real money, not pocket money. Investors money, not the people!
Speaking just from my experience going to various race series at a few tracks, being able to move around and not be in grandstands is so much better. Just my opinion of course but I just preferred being able to wander and find a spot.
As for the track, it's no narrower than Monaco or many parts of Baku and Singapore.
I worked with the Marshalls for last year's DTM race (I worked with Ed. Mortara and my friend with Euher) and I must say it was just sooo incredible I can't wait to see 20 F1 cars here someday! (If it's not next year or the years to come, it will be done some other day!)
Zandvoort is such a unique track and it indeed is closer to Monaco than Bahrein in terms of modernness. It’s a historical circuit (there’s great footage from old GPs) at a beach in a nature reserve and all minor downsides will be forgotten as soon as qualifying begins. Just leave in time 😁, bring your flip flops and clean up after yourselves.
😂
Being Dutch and a longtime F1 fan I'd say I hope they go for Zandvoort.. It has all the F1 history and Assen should remain a MotoGP circuit imho.. Zandvoort needs some work though like you said in the video.. I think the straight needs to be extended a bit and the track needs to be made a bit wider to allow for better modern F1 racing.. The infrastructure around the circuit needs work as well, but I think it can be done, there's already a trainstation pretty close.. We'll see what happens, but with the popularity of young Max Verstappen in F1 it is the right time to bring back the Dutch GP..
It nice to see some positive news about Zandvoort. The place were you were standing at the 12 min mark is were I stood as a 8 year old boy during the Dutch grand prix of 1975. I loved it then and still love F1 today. Great report. Thanks.
I'm fairly new to F1 and to Motorsports in general. I've only really started watching in 2017, and last year was the first year I payed attention with any amount of seriousness. My perspective as a newcomer is that some of my favorite races have been those where teams have to overcome interesting and unique challenges. One of the reasons I've really liked Monaco is how ridiculous it is to see massive F1 cars packing into such a narrow street circuit. It's those sort of quirky oddball not quite perfect tracks that have attracted my attention to watch most. In other words, I think that this circuit has problems is actually a good thing. That's just my perspective though.
yes, nothing like watching a parade of cars coast around a track with nothing happening and no effort from the driver. are you serious?
@@nanderlizernanderlizer684 Except of course there are a few places at Zandvoort where overtaking is possible, and that and the track in general actually does require driver effort.
If they don't 'Tilke' it, that is.
Zandvoort is designed by the same circuit designer as the Suzuka circuit, John Hugenholz, a dutchman. This guy knew how to build circuits for sure.
Booring is what people said with baku and look at the awesome races it produced, we wont know till we try it.
Used to love 70's dutch gp's
I remember the day like yesterday that Max' dad was giving a presentation run here, the tickets were free for the remote visitor places, so super cool. We sat down on one of the hills next to the track near the long back straight. Then Jos stopped exactly in front of us making donuts, that was F*****G INCREDIBLE. I would love to see his son racing here. The width of the track could be an issue, but Monaco can also give the most spectacular results -- especially on a rainy day -- and with all the Orange fans this will give wings, goose bumps even without the energy drink. Thanks for visiting 'Zendfoord' and keeping the topic hot!
Another excellent video marc
I think the biggest challenge of F1 racing at Zandvoort is the infrastructure around the track. There is literally one road that connects the track to the next freeway and everybody (that doenst come by boat or heli) has to take it to get to and off the track. It's already quite a hustle to get away from the track after a DTM weekend and when I think of last year's F1 dilemma at Paul Ricard, I'm pretty sure that the whole coast near Zandvoort will be blocked by cars and there'll be massive trouble with the traffic.
Walking from Haarlem station would probally be faster then anything else. And it is good for your health.
Im Dutch and the only reason to have it at Zandvoort is 'history'.
All other reasons (financial, tracklayout, logistic, common sense basically) say it should be Assen or not at all.
Excellent commentating around that lap Marc! Well done. I agree, it would be fantastic to see F1 there on that beastly track. It needs to happen.
Loved your take on this! The most important thing is that there will be a Dutch Grand Prix. Assen could use the attention and is better equipped than Zandvoort. But the track layout is one of a kind in Zandvoort. Loved your footage! If you want to visit Assen I probably could get you in a BMW and let you experience Assen. Keep up the good work!
Get Assetto Corsa and have a go on Zandvoort with the 2017 Ferrari F1 car, was pretty fun. A race here would be crazy. If they are giving this track a look, then why not go back to Watkins Glen?
Fingers crossed, I would love to see a zandvoort GP in my lifetime.
You are absolutely right. Much too tight and much too old, but it is going to happen! I think prince Bernhard and Mr Frits van Eerd (Jumbo) will be able to raise the money needed. It will be jam packed all weekend with a record amount of visitors. Liberty Media wants it. The GP of Amsterdam near the beach! A race with F1 history and heritage. Assen (much better and modern complex, much better accesible, but no history and heritage) is simply out of the question.
Not going to happen. F1 at Zandvoort is a pipe dream. All Zandvoort has done so far is lie to fool the public.
Assen has a lot of heritage, just not in Formula 1, it has hosted the 1st MotoGp race (500cc at the time) and it has always been on the calendar
@@SavageRivale absolutely correct. The discussion between Assen and Zandvoort is just insane. Zandvoort hasn't been able to prove anything they're gonna make it and the deadline is coming very soon.
[[Insert Name]] you are right of course. No F1 heritage. A lot of Moto GP.
[[Insert Name]] Vietnam, Russia, China, Turkey, and more past, today and future races don’t had or have any F1 heritage so that’s a lot of BS.
Facts are Assen have the money, the venue is modern, more seats (65.000 against 2700), know how to host big international races.
Very much appreciated Marc..I think there is no other track than Zandvoort... Are you also going to visit the Assen track?
No, it was just a chance opportunity I had I'm afraid.
Best real-time lap commentary ever! Can you please put those sped-up laps in a separate video so we can see them in real time?
Hi Marc, great coverage of the Zandvoort GP circuit. They shuild first start with a F1 event like in Londen, Miami, Moscow over there. And use a F2 race to see how track suits the next big thing. (F2 with de Vries and Verschoor).
Thanks Marc for this great video!
This is the place to be for a historic F1 race party....just give it a chanc and you wil see a race and a atmosfer the people won't forget!
Hi Marc, big fan of your channel! Shame I've skipped this saturday of 'Vrij Rijden', or I could've seen you. I usually join the trackdays in Zandvoort or Assen (I have a clip on my channel).
On topic, I think the Assen circuit is great for F1. It is wider, faster, and better prepared for a GP. Zandvoort for (in my MX5) me is a more exhilarating experience, basically because of the tighter and technical layout. Though, I can foresee overtaking problems in Zandvoort for F1 cars, let alone the infrastructure problems. Hope to see the Dutch GP in the near future, on either of the circuits!
I think this track will host an exciting race as there are a lot of places where mistakes can be made...
Awesome video again Marc, so passionate and informative. Super cool!
Great episode Marc! We should have more circuits like this. No 20 mile run-off areas
Yea! Come to Zandvoort. Our Holiday Flat has from the Staircase view on the track :-D - I can`T even imagine F1 coming there. Amazing!
Cheers from Wisconsin, US!... I was at Zandvoort in 1975 for the F1 GP.... It's always windy there.
Wow! I was born that year and we go there often for Vacations. ... and it is windy there :-)
I visit zandvoort for 18 years now and every year I almost get blown away by the wind. It's always windy there
I remember being there and I can cofirm it is windy there.
Michael Chino Yap
You can almost touch the ocean!
Most windy city, not Chicago at all, Amarillo!
I was there too, can't remember the years, just a small kid, i knew some drivers, some kind of little insider there....
Late 70th early 80th, you must remember the Picnicking in the grass....
Been to zandvoort many times, think this could be awesome.
You are really right. Love this track and layout. Sure there needs to be done some things but is a challenging track! Good for F1
What a great circuit! It has a great personality I could picture sitting up on one of those sand dunes!
That's the Spirit, man! ;-)
Great video Mark I really enjoy your video content and your knowledge of F1, very entertaining and informative, I think it be excellent to have a Dutch grand prix again and I think with some work Zandvoort could be a great F1 track like it was back when they used to race F1 there.
Our country has two circuirs running for a spot on the F1 calendar. TT-Assen, a modern track with all capabilities for formula one and the visitors. They can organise the race almost inmidiatly. They have the money already. 50.000 official parkingspots and a solid public transport service. Seats for more than 150.000 visitors. A modern and safe track and padock. And the other track is Zandvoort. Track needs a huge update. They need a complete rebuild of the padock, safety, no place for visitors, ok i lie about 30.000 sitting in the sand with tickets they bought for about 200 euro's.. no parking and they don't have the money to organise. Also they are asking all visitors to come on bicycle or train 😅. Good luck for those who come from far. For now the choice of FOM is strangly zandvoort only because of their F1 history. If they don't have a solid buisinessplan by the 31th of march the F1 will go to the TT circuit of assen. The dutch f1 will be in may 2020. I do hope the F1 comes to the netherlands and i wish all the luck to zandvoort. But if we want a solid grandprix were visitors can get in a normal amount of time. And were everyone can sit with a good view. Were f1 teams have all the space they needs. And much more. Than Assen is the only choice for a grand prix.👍🏁 (edit: i wrote all this before watching)
Thanks Marc,!
Great video, but i think you should also visit Assen to get an impression of that track and facilities as well.
Well done. Greetings from Zandvoort
Thanks again for a thrilling and informative show
Thanks Marc for the video. Other interesting point for a Dutch Gp is the weather. The Calendar could use more rainy Gp's. Being Dutch I think would be nice to have GP however afraid zandvoort or even Assen are tracks where it's hard to overtake. And nobody is really looking for boring races.
Agree, I noticed it is really tight and narrow after driving it on Assetto Corsa a while back. Passing opportunities seem scarce because of the twisty sections as well. Not sure how great it would be for modern F1 cars...
Being a F1 fan for almost 50 years, I’ve lucky to have been to Zandvoort for the F1 races in the late 70’s up until the last one in 85. To me, Zandvoort is a great circuit. Best spot is on the top of a dune left of the grandstand. You see the straight and the first corner (Tarzanbocht) and you can follow the cars when they’re on the high parts of the circuit. And when you turn around you see the Northsea really nearby. With the exception of Spa, it is my favourit circuit. I know Assen maby looks smoother, butto me Assen is the Tempel of motorbikes, But Zandvoort is the place to be for F1! And parking is no problem. You just take your bicycle with you, park your car in one of the surrounding villages and do the last bit by bike! Or better still, make it a great long weekend, in the hotels or campgrounds and enjoy the beach as well!
Zandvoort for me is a great GT4 track, but anything faster and wider I feel will result in processions. Blancpain is there this year with a large grid of GT3 , so it will be interesting to see how that race unfolds and maybe an indicator of sorts to whether Formula 1 is a viable race, or is it to get a Dutch Grand Prix to satisfy popularity, like we had 2 Spanish tracks for Alonso. I think Assen is a better option too, but maybe there are difficulties with financing (as is happening to many tracks) or scheduling.
I feel like they want a track for every nationality/birth place... which is smart because thats how you get the fans of drivers paying.
@@TestarossaF110 I totally agree, I was so glad to see French Grand Prix return too. But for all the talk of regulation changes to improve racing, Zandvoort seems an odd choice to me. Seems to me the choice of some tracks on Calendar is more about money they can make from circuit rather than promoting what many would like to see.
It wouldn't be fair on the duch to have a rubbish GP. The point this year is overtaking , so why a circuit with no overtaking ?
history man. it’s not always about money and the result-
Assen is fine
@@jamali3956 you tell liberty media that .
The FIA don't care about passing
@@mikenew11 I have yet to see a good car race at Assen... excellent for bikes, rubbish for cars.
wow great track. similar to jerez and suzuka. nice video marc
Zandvoort has the same Dutch designer as Suzuka. ;)
With the difference that Suzuka evolved over time, but Zandvoort didn't change since the 70s. Hence Assen is the better place on all levels, and Assen has the DTM from this year on instead of Zandvoort.
@@LogiForce86 the current lay-out of Zandvoort is from 2001..... So YES, Zandvoort changed!
The only reason why the DTM is going to Assen is because Zandvoort declined a new contract! Also the Red Bull Ring is not included in the DTM calender of 2019 ;)
Instead of the DTM Zandvoort will get the Blancpain GT World Challenge.
I always wonder..... If Assen is really better.... Why does Zandvoort have more FIA races??
Zandvoort is still in the Top 5 of many many international drivers!
Great video Marc, and loved the in car footage in the BMW! I see this as similar to F1 going back to somewhere like Brands Hatch in the U.K?
Having read a lot of the other comments it seems overtaking would be an issue, and Monaco can be a frustration to watch quicker drivers essentially stuck behind slower cars for many laps, however despite this something tells me F1 needs a change towards circuits like this and away from the clinical tracks with huge run off and no atmosphere. Not sure how it would work but I for one would love to see it happen!
yes marc i think Zandvoort is fine. Whether the reason the Dutch GP came off the calendar in the first place happens again is another matter. Id like to see at least one of the Tilke tracks off and this one on. One could quite easily see an Alfa, Renault or a Racing Point car coming through others tyre deg issues to win.
The straight in to the Audi S is to short, its about 500 meters, it should be extended to atleast 800. (which is possible with removing the Audi S and going in to the infield area) It also would need to be extended (which is also possible, by extending the east loop, past the golfcourse driving range and going between the 2 ponds) I would also move the pitline to the westside of the mainstraight, placing the pitentrance in between Kumho and Luyendyk, seperating Luyendyk corner from the pitentrance with a 'saver wall' as we see in oval racing.
It would give the drivers a go cart like track, but is that enough? The hospitality & crowd's needs might be a big struggle.
We have too many follow the leader races which depend on accidents and incidents in order to mix up the tires and field in order to make the race interesting.
And here we are! One year later! Racing Formula One at Zandvoort in 1.5 months time!!! 🤩😀🤩😀🤩
Going back for a follow up next week!😊
@@F1Elvis Yesss!.. And there have been a whole lot more adjustments to the cirquit than you and everybody else thought at first! This should be a great before and after comparison and i can't wait to hear what you think of it!!! 😎😎😎😎😃
Loved seeing the track again. We need this type of course where drivers pay a penalty for going off the track. Not for wimps. I remember when they had F1 races many, many, years ago.
I've only ever seen the dutch tracks on games and I don't think they're suitable for how wide the current cars are but they definitely need to get a race there some how.
I believe the car you have in your profile picture raced at Zandvoort. 80's F1 cars were even wider than they are now, so why wouldn't it work?
Brilliant episode, a refreshing break from all the 2019 tech talk on other channels. Spot on questions and really objective review as always. Top job mate 👌
Maybe go to Assen aswell to be able to compare the two?
For me personally it should be Zandvoort, i was at the last Grand Prix in 85 as a teenager seeing my favorite driver (Niki Lauda) win his final Grand Prix Victory and i would love to be at the first return Grand Prix in about 35 Years (ow god i am getting old) later.
I also think that Zandvoort is closer to Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport which would make it the more interesting location for fans (from inside and outside the country).
Love ur work mate,,Please keep it up :)
I agree with almost everything but can't ignore the underlying fear of no overtaking opportunities
Being Dutch i would love to see F1 on Zandvoort but the circuit and the infrastructure is not ready right now. Needs a lot of work, but it would be packed with Dutch fans for sure. Thanks for the video again!
Zandvoort is in my opinion the only track to host the Dutch grand prix in 2020. It has history with F1, and the designer of this track Hans Hugenholtz, designed a lot of epic F1 tracks. Suzuka, Japan (1962), Zolder, Belgium (1963), Hockenheimring, Germany (1965) Zandvoort is an Amazing track for F1.
Marc, I think you need to go to Assen as well to have a look just like you did at Zandvoort. You can only give a true opinion if you have evaluated both tracks equally as much.
As I said, I'm not giving an opinion on which is better....
@@F1Elvis I am not asking you to mix into the battle of the Dutch GP. Although you basically already did by making this video in my opinion.
What I was aiming for with my comment is going to view Assen and evaluate that track like you did Zandvoort, and give balanced view on what both tracks have to work towards in an ideal situation. With at most saying... we need the flow of Zandvoort, pitboxes of Assen, Surroundings of Zandvoort, accessibility of Assen, et cetera in an ideal situation.
Anyway, to me Michel his interviewed did show me that they think to lightly of accommodating an F1 event. On the other side the MotoGP at Assen has always been one of the biggest events next to the Isle of Man on the two wheeler calendar, so that site is just more up to date with a lot of stuff.
I can also appreciate the appeal of history, the dunes and the flow of Zandvoort in general though. The track just needs more work than they have money and time for, and of they want to host a 2019 GP you'd already think they'd be working 24/7 on that track as we speak.
Does anyone have a way to compare track width to other tracks? I have no idea how much wider other tracks are.
Would love to see aswell, I might do some research if in have time
I must say that I have been quite sceptical of how realistic it is to race in Zandvoort. But after watching your video, I can already see a lot of positives. The short track offers a boatload of laps to see the cars come round. I hope they can find a bit of room to give room for overtaking though. And traffic would be quite a feat to manage with buses, trains etc. Maybe they could also make something of a floating VIP camp at the beach. One thing I really like aobut what you say here (following Bleekemolen) is why really wouldn't F1 do things differently than it has done under Bernie. Go to places that offer a lot of flavour, maybe with more contstraints to the facilities. I love if F1 can create more variation in what tracks offer, so maybe having a Zandvoort there, something like a Monaco in the dunes would be quite interesting.
I drove on both Assen and Zandvoort. I am not real race driver, but from a driver's perspective Zandvoort is much more interesting than Assen. That said, getting in and out of the venue at Zandvoort is a horrible experience: It took me 3 hours to get my car out of the paddock after a big event. Assen has a much better location and infrastructure due to the fact they still host the Moto GP every year, so the logistics have been kept up to date for hosting really big events. Assen's paddock is also much bigger. However, Zandvoort does have that F1 heritage. Neither have a lot of grandstands though. So there's pro's and con's vor both venues. Hard one to call.
I would like to see money put into Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport). There is enough land there to build onto the track and build garages. Hopefully in my lifetime, it's already a more exciting track than Montreal.
Happy now are you comming
Assen is a well respected and preferred motorbike circuit. Changing parts of it could be disappointing for the biker community. Now Zandvoort is for cars and Assen for bikes. And what will Liberty do after 5 years? For me Zandvoort has my preference.
Marc, I was last at Zanvdvoort in 1988 and, although the track has changed a little out the back those garages are very much asi remember back then. I think the last GP there was 1984? But I may be wrong there....
Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort & European Grand Prix at Assen
Great report Marc. I now wonder how they managed back in the days of James & Nikki...
Something in your vid was off though... no lap on the skateboard ?!?.... ;-)
If you compare the cars of that era to the cars of 2018/2019 you'll understand how they managed :P
I loved the vibe of people sitting on the banking, it’s just such a cool thing (:
It would make a spectacular race. I hope it happens but if it comes to Assen instead I am fine with that as well.
I loved Zandvoort in Grand Prix Legends and I loved it in real life a few years ago with my Caterham. Without aero and with narrow cars this circuit is a true blast to drive.
But I fear with today's F1 we simply would have a boring procession. So please let us remember Zandvoort as the fantastic circuit it was in the past and don't make it the future synonym of "that race where nobody overtakes".
Let’s hope if this happens that some of dull races out of Europe will drop. We need more races in Europe !!
Thanks Marc for the video and your visit to Zandvoort. Myself I am pro Dutch Grand Prix, so agnostic to where it would be held. Having said that, I love the flowing track at Zandvoort too much to ignore. Regarding traffic: if paul ricard can cope with F1, for sure Zandvoort can. I for sure will bike myself to the track at the weekend. Enjoy HK race!
Another great vid! I'm dutch, and i'm pretty sure the sight of 20 f1 cars breaking into the Tarzan corner will be spectacular, but the track is so narrow that the racing will be appaling. It's barely wide enough for F3