Alternative Dutch venue reacts to F1 grand prix prospect

Another popular Dutch race venue has asserted it is not interested in replacing the void left by Zandvoort's exit from the F1 calendar.

It was confirmed on Wednesday morning that Zandvoort will depart the race calendar at the end of the 2026 campaign.

The race returned to the F1 schedule in 2021 and has been a hugely popular event amid Max Verstappen's run of success with Red Bull.

The local favourite clinched his fourth world title this year - but his trip to Zandvoort in August marked the first time since the event's return to the schedule that he did not triumph, with McLaren's Lando Norris taking the win.

Zandvoort organisers opted to pull the plug on the event to avoid risking financial trouble going forward.

The TT Circuit Assen is another popular race track in the Netherlands - but the track is not interested in taking over the Dutch Grand Prix event after Zandvoort's departure.

"We are not at all working on doing something in that spirit,” a track spokesperson told RacingNews365. “We are currently very busy with 100 years of TT, which is playing next year. 

“We have been organising that in this place for 100 years, something we are incredibly proud of. That requires our attention and we are therefore not busy with other issues.”

The spokesperson added that the track's hectic year-long schedule leaves it impossible to make room for an F1 grand prix event.

“We are full. We have 200 rental days per year and with that. we have completed the calendar.

“We have incredible respect for the way the organization in Zandvoort has managed, and is still managing, everything as the event has two more editions.

“We also have respect for the way they are making this choice, because it is a complicated market with incredible challenges, also financially. They are making a very clear choice to quit at the peak and that too deserves respect.”