© Getty ImagesHome Race History: NetherlandsWe delve into the history of Max’s home track: Zandvoort.
The2021DutchGrandPrixwillbeourfourthhomeraceoftheseasonsofar.Yep,that’sright:fourth!AsRedBullRacingHonda,wehaveseveralreasonstoclaimcertaintracksasourhomerace.AndZandvoortisthelatestinthisseriesonthehistoryofourhometracksbecauseit’sMaxVerstappen’shomeraceandthefirsttimehe’sracedhereinFormulaOne.
Max Verstappen Excited For Home Race© Getty Images
Zandvoort ‘officially’ opened as a race circuit in 1948 and was originally made up of part permanent track and part public roads that wound through the sand dunes of the holiday town. The Dutch Automobile Racing Club – who initiated the plans for the circuit – brought in 1927 Le Mans winner Sammy Davis to consult on the layout for the original 4.2km track.
In 1952, Zandvoort hosted its first Formula One race and became part of the World Championship (it had hosted races since 1948, but they weren’t part of the championship). Two-time World Champion Alberto Ascari took the chequered flag in his Ferrari at the inaugural race. The following year he took the spoils again.
The track remained unchanged from 1948 to 1971 and in that time driving legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabahm, Jochen Rindt, Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart all stood on the top step of the podium.
Jackie Stewart: Driving Legend© Getty Images
After the 1971 edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort was not deemed up to standard by Formula One and was removed from the 1972 calendar. The owners decided to add a new corner to the super-quick circuit, the ‘Panorama Turn’. Other security measurements were added and the Dutch Grand Prix returned in 1973, with Jackie Stewart taking the victory.
The track was altered once again for the 1979 running of the GP. To slow cars coming into Tunnel Oost there was a high-speed temporary chicane put in. The following year the chicane was removed and replaced by another slower chicane before Tunnel Oost.
1985 was the race's final running, which was won by Niki Lauda, marking the end of the old Zandvoort circuit. The track, owned by the municipality of Zandvoort, was not used for some time and part of the grounds and approximately half of the track was sold in 1987 to Vendorado, a bungalow park developer at that time.
In 1995, Circuit Park Zandvoort got the "A Status" from the Government of the Netherlands and proceeding began to build an international Grand Prix Circuit. In 2001 the project was complete, with the track redesigned to 4.3 kilometres and a new pits building was erected, as well as a new grandstand situated along the long straight.
In more recent years Zandvoort held a round of the FIA WTCR World Cup along with other high-profile races. These successful editions helped to ensure that more and more attention was given to a potential return of Formula One. Zandvoort had to be modified on a number of points within only four months if they were to be on the 2020 calendar.
Aerial View Of Zandvoort© Getty Images
Changes were made once again to the circuit, including the introduction of two banked corners that now give the circuit more overtaking possibilities, while the unique circuit characteristics would be retained and in 2019 it was announced that after a 35-year absence, the Dutch Grand Prix would be returning to the calendar for 2020. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic its triumphant return was delayed until the 2021 season.
As we’ve already mentioned, this will be Max’s first true home race in his Formula One career. And even though he’s only raced once at Zandvoort in his Formula 3 days, it was the 2014 Zandvoort Masters and in true Verstappen style, he took pole, led every lap and won the race – becoming the youngest winner in the race’s history at just 16. Fun fact: the 1993 race was won by Max’s dad, Jos!
When the new modified circuit reopened in 2020 Max was invited to take an RB8 on track in celebration of the Netherlands returning to Formula One. Max seemed to like what the owners had done, saying: “The whole track is very demanding. There are a lot of fast corners and still not that much run-off. That makes it really challenging to go on the limit, but that’s good. That’s what we like,” He said before adding, “I’m really looking forward to coming here for the Grand Prix. To have a home grand prix will be even more crazy than usual in terms of support. I hope it’s going to be a highlight of the season, but it will all depend on the Sunday result. But we’ll do everything we can to make sure it’s a good one.”
