What makes the Dutch Grand Prix special – and why you should see it

The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar in 2021 after a 36-year hiatus. The coastal track at Zandvoort has seen plenty of action since.

First held in 1952, the Dutch Grand Prix has produced unforgettable moments over the years, including special victories, stunning overtakes, and shock collisions.

Let's take a look at just some of the reasons why the Netherlands is so captivating.

The Orange Army

What really sets the event apart is more than just the circuit – it’s the culture that has grown up around it.

Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen didn’t just bring racing success to the Netherlands – he helped turn the sport into a national passion. His rise ignited a movement, a fanbase known as the Orange Army, whose presence at his home race has helped transform the race weekend into something closer to a national celebration.

You’ll see grandstands awash in orange, donned with flags, creating an atmosphere that gives the race a festival-like vibe.

When is the next Dutch Grand Prix?

The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix marked Zandvoort’s final event on the Formula 1 calendar. Rather than feeling sadness over its goodbye, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, celebrated what the track has achieved during its six-year return to the championship.

“It’s amazing,” he reflected after the last Grand Prix there. “I just want to start to say thank you – thank you Zandvoort, thank you to the Dutch fans for the energy they brought to the eco system of Formula 1.

“They came in [during] a [time] that was not easy, with Covid, and they were able to deliver an incredible event. From the crowd, the energy has been always a reference, so it’s great.

“We are leaving not with the sadness of losing Zandvoort, but a positive at having done something unique, that will stay in the books of Formula 1.”

What happened at the last Dutch Grand Prix?

The final Dutch Grand Prix certainly delivered a memorable event, with Lando Norris taking the spoils in a dramatic race on Sunday. There were many other talking points that emerged during an action-packed weekend at Zandvoort, from Mercedes’ “risky” strategy en route to a double podium, through to Verstappen’s heavy crash at the final corner.

Check out the RACE HUB to catch up on news, reports and highlights from every session.

Why we love the Circuit Zandvoort?

‘Really quick’, ‘pretty insane’, ‘crazy’ and ‘old-school’ were words used by the current crop of F1 drivers when asked to describe the Zandvoort track that many of them tackled in their junior category days. We’d also add ‘undulating’ to that list.

The Zandvoort track swoops and flows through the sand dunes, creating a rollercoaster-like feel to the lap. And while the circuit was modernised in time for F1’s most recent return — including increasing the banking angle at the famous Tarzan corner to an Indianapolis Motor Speedway-trumping 18 degrees — Zandvoort remains a proper, challenging drivers’ track.

The weekend schedule is full of action and there's plenty to look forward to every day, with F1 Free Practice, Qualifying and the Grand Prix – plus the Sprint sessions – all supported by other categories. That means even more opportunities to see cars on track.

There’s fantastic live entertainment, enthusiastic support and a superb atmosphere.

During the day there's the stacked F1 Fanzone too, with activities, entertainment, and the chance to see drivers and team representatives live on stage.

Memorable moments in the Netherlands

The Dutch Grand Prix has served up some unforgettable standout moments throughout the years since first hosting an F1 weekend in 1952.

We couldn’t possibly list them all, but here’s a selection to whet your appetite…

1975 – A tense battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda saw Hunt’s daring moves allowing him to just hold off Lauda and claim his first Grand Prix win.

1979 – Gilles Villeneuve thrilled the crowd with a flat-out drive on three wheels. After taking the lead with an outside pass on Alan Jones, a slow puncture spun his Ferrari, leaving him stranded – yet he battled back to the pits, earning plenty of applause.

1985 – Lauda turned a P10 start into a masterclass. After inheriting the lead from team mate Alain Prost, he fended off a late-race charge, holding the MP4/2B perfectly to win by just 0.232 seconds.

2021 – After a three-decade hiatus, Zandvoort returned to the calendar with a blockbuster. A chaotic first lap in the rain reshuffled the field, but Max Verstappen claimed a sensational home victory over Lewis Hamilton, cheered on by the Orange Army.

2023 – Wet-weather chaos hit Zandvoort, but Verstappen survived the changing conditions, a red flag and a late restart to win for a third successive year and equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive victories.

2024 – Lando Norris ended Verstappen’s winning run on home soil, recovering after losing the lead at the start to pass the Red Bull and take a dominant victory for McLaren.

2025 – McLaren's Oscar Piastri held firm through three Safety Car periods to win, while team mate and title rival Norris suffered a late mechanical retirement and Isack Hadjar claimed his maiden F1 podium.

2026 – Norris passed Kimi Antonelli to take his second successive victory of the season, while home favourite Verstappen suffered a heavy crash that brought his final Dutch Grand Prix to an early end.