Plans for Formula 1 to revive the Dutch Grand Prix as a street race in Rotterdam have faltered due to a lack of political will.
Prospective promoter Herman Vanhoolt, who previously staged the popular Bavaria City Race F1 festivals in Rotterdam, has been working on the proposal. He told the Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad that “the Americans” – meaning F1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media – “were serious”, and had visited the city last year.“The city was interesting for Liberty as, a) [the Netherlands] is Max Verstappen’s homeland, and b) they hoped to incorporate more street races on the F1 calendar.”
Vanhoolt said he had commissioned F1 architect Herman Tilke to design a circuit to showcase the city and cross the Maas River bridge. However according to Vanhoolt local politicians refused to participate in impact and sustainability studies, without which the event would be impossible to stage.
The port city is one of at least three venues in the Netherlands vying for a place on the F1 calendar. Zandvoort, close to Amsterdam and scene of F1 world championship races between 1958 and 1985, and Assen, venue for the Dutch Moto GP round, are understood to still be in the running.
Verstappen told media last month he would prefer the Dutch Grand Prix to be held on a permanent road course. “I think we already have enough street circuits on the calendar,” he said.
The 20-year-old has attracted large crowds of supporters at several races this year. He visited Zandvoort for a promotional event arranged by his sponsor Jumbo earlier this year (pictured).
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Jere (@jerejj)
13th September 2018, 9:59
Good thing. BTW, why are RBR still using V8-powered cars (primarily RB7, but also RB8 to a smaller extent) for their demo runs rather than any of their cars from the current V6-turbo hybrid era? Yes, their cars fitted with the current type of engines weren’t/haven’t been as successful as their late-V8 era predecessors during their active seasons but using them for this purpose instead would be a more up-to-date, relevant promotion of the sport.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th September 2018, 10:22
As far as I know they don’t have access to the newer engines for demo runs @jerejj – remember they only LEASE a given amount of engines for the season, and given how complicated and expensive these units are, the manufacturers are not keen to run those outside of competition / testing at all.
The older engines are far simpler in comparison and easier and cheaper to have available for demo runs.
Jere (@jerejj)
13th September 2018, 11:06
@bascb And yet Mercedes has been using their V6-powered cars for their demo runs (this year mainly W07 but W05 and W06 to a lesser extent as well since 2016 when the earliest of these three first became available to use outside the race weekends/official testing days without any restrictions).
Jere (@jerejj)
13th September 2018, 11:07
@bascb Or just let STR use them instead as they’ve done with the RB8 a few times.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th September 2018, 11:32
Yes, I am pretty sure Ferrari has used their V6 hybrid too. But that is the difference – it is them showcasing their own engines @jerejj.
Especially in light of Red Bull changing to Honda next year (and STR already being with Honda this year) I wouldn’t expect Renault to show much interest in supporting a Red Bull show run using a modern Renault V6 hybrid, especially one called a “tag Heuer”.
And I’m not even sure Red Bull is all that keen on showing those cars off either – surely they rather showboat with cars that won them championships. Why pay a lot of money extra to get Renault to run the PU for a car that at best gave them 3 wins instead?
Jere (@jerejj)
13th September 2018, 15:34
@bascb Yes, Ferrari’s used their V6-powered cars (F14 T and SF15-T) for demo runs as well, and yes, I can also agree with your other points.
ColdFly (@)
13th September 2018, 10:00
If there is going to be a race in the Netherlands than it can only be Zandvoort.
Too many city centre races already (and nobody will propose the canal bridges of Amsterdam).
Assen should be preserved for great MotoGP racing.
Zandvoort had many historic races, and the shortcomings are part of its appeal.
But maybe it is better to NOT have a race there.
Currently it seems that that the orange brigade invades every venue within 3 hours flying distance.
Having a local GP might stop them to travel to those races.
Jere (@jerejj)
13th September 2018, 11:07
@coldfly Agreed.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
13th September 2018, 12:03
Not to mention that nothing about the current infrastructure would make Zandvoort remotely possible. Going there on a nice summer’s day entails a few hours of trafic jams: a Formula One race would make Paul Ricard look like a smooth ride.
Bart
13th September 2018, 10:34
Assen (a Moto GP venue) is in contention too, and making serious inroads.
I don’t think a Dutch GP would diminish Dutch crowds to other tracks. Those who visit the further GP’s often visit those closer by too. And when there would be a GP over here more people would want to visit it than the capacity would allow.
Even demo runs and the Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort pull massive crowds already.
José Lopes da Silva
13th September 2018, 11:48
Just get to Zandvoort…
Aleš Norský (@gpfacts)
13th September 2018, 13:07
For once, I agree with Verstappen…
Neil (@neilosjames)
13th September 2018, 13:17
For once I’m a bit sad about a street circuit not happening. There’s a port a few miles away with a daily ferry to Rotterdam, would have been a fun outing… although P&O would probably have jacked up the prices like everyone else, so maybe it wouldn’t have been accessible to the likes of me!
maiagus
13th September 2018, 14:39
If F1 keep trying to get more street races it will see some series – openwheel/prototype/supercars – testing the waters on fans that would like to see more permanent tracks.