Exclusive: Formula E in talks to fill F1 Zandvoort void

Formula E is in talks with Zandvoort over a potential future race at the current home of F1's Dutch Grand Prix. 

Zandvoort's contract to host F1 concludes in 2026, with Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds having confirmed to RacingNews365 that talks are taking place over an event for Gen4. 

The all-electric series has already confirmed a record-breaking calendar for next season, which gets underway in São Paulo in December this year. 

It will mark FE's 12th campaign and the last before the introduction of Gen4, a car which has already reached 210 mph in private testing. As a result of FE introducing an 800 bhp beast for Season 13, some calendar changes are expected. 

Whether Zandvoort could be introduced for 2027 remains to be seen, but Dodds is very interested for an E-Prix at the historic beachside circuit. 

Zandvoort's owners were spotted a fortnight ago in the FE paddock, at the Berlin E-Prix. FE has never held a race in the Netherlands, although Eindhoven had a failed bid in 2021.

Speaking to RacingNews365 on the chances of a future race in the Netherlands, Dodds said: "Yeah, if you look at our target list of potential locations, I'm not so close to it but I think next year is the last F1 race in Zandvoort. 

"If you look at that circuit layout, obviously it's a beach circuit, but it's a big circuit. If I look at it, with a few modifications, I think that could be a really interesting circuit for Formula E. 

"And they have a very loyal following of motorsport over there, obviously a lot of Max [Verstappen] fans, but, you know, Nyck de Vries, they're loyalists for motorsport, they love motorsport over there. 

"I think Amsterdam, and that part of the Netherlands, obviously, I lived and worked there for a while. I think it could be really interesting. So no surprises, that's one of the locations that we chat to. 

"In fact, the people who run and own that circuit, they were in Berlin, talking to us about how it works and what the potential looks like."

De Vries backs Zandvoort race

A driver hugely in favour of a future race at Zandvoort is de Vries, who has spent most of his racing career away from his homeland. 

The Dutchman would love to see the venue join the calendar and allow him to finally race at home.

"I would be sleeping still in a hotel, whereas in another place I could sleep actually at home," joked de Vries to RacingNews365 on a potential race at Zandvoort. 

"But of course, I would welcome a Dutch race on the calendar very much. I think it would be great to, yeah, actually race in the Netherlands. 

"I haven't raced much in the Netherlands at all in my career, so unlike the Brits that get a lot of opportunity to race in the UK," he laughed. "But yeah, I'd love to see Zandvoort on the calendar."