F1’s Dutch GP to go ahead as planned with two-thirds capacity crowd

F1 was meant to return to the Netherlands for the first time since 1985 in 2020, but it had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The good news for Max Verstappen fans is the race will go ahead as scheduled in September, forming the final leg of a triple-header after the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix.

With Verstappen just eight points behind Lewis Hamilton in the race for this year’s title, it’s likely to be a carnival atmosphere. 

Sporting Director of the event Jan Lammers said: “For me the glass is two thirds full. We're just going to do it. The three companies behind the Dutch Grand Prix, Circuit Zandvoort, SportVibes and TIG Sports, have decided to invest in the future of F1 in the Netherlands.

“The belief in the ambition to organise the biggest Ultimate Race Festival in the world remains the primary goal for the coming years. This year, admittedly in a smaller form, the battle for the world championship will be fought in a beautiful orange ambiance in the stands.”

Around 70,000 fans will be allowed into Zandvoort on each day across the weekend.

Organisers confirmed that ticket holders will be contacted via email by August 18 as to whether they will be able to attend the race this year.

For the fans that miss out this year, they will be able to use their tickets for next year’s Dutch GP in 2022 or they can request a refund.