“Assen would be a great circuit for Formula 1” according to Whiting

With the presence of a star in Formula 1 in the person of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) since 2015 and a cohort of Dutch supporters on European circuits, the possibility of a round in the Netherlands is gaining ground.

During the last Austrian Grand Prix, on the Red Bull Ring, the organizers estimated 20 000 the number of Dutch fans. The enthusiasm is growing, and the FIA ​​has been looking for several months to see if the existing tracks in the Netherlands would be capable of hosting a race.

In October, Charlie Whiting inspected the Assen route (4,555km), nicknamed “the cathedral” for organizing a Motorcycle Grand Prix continuously since 1949. Today, it is one of the most spectacular and popular rounds of the MotoGP, evidenced by the race held on Sunday, an hour before the Austrian GP:

“From my point of view, with some arrangements, Assen would be a great circuit for Formula 1, explained Charlie Whiting in the Red Bull Ring paddock. I think the place is adequate, but that's all I know. I don't know where the trade negotiations stand. »

The track managed by Arjan Bos revealed at the end of last year its desire to see F1 on its domain. “We have always said that we hope to bring back a Grand Prix within three years. At this moment, I estimate the chances at 50%. »

Also assessed, the Zandvoort route would not hold up. “We have not conducted any simulation (for Zandvoort), it is therefore quite premature to give an opinion. This would be a great circuit but I'm not sure how much work would be required. (to adapt it to Grade 1, necessary for hosting F1) without having done the slightest simulation. Between the two, Assen would need little work. »

When questioned, MotoGP bikers spoke out against the Assen modification. “I hope F1 doesn’t come!” », exclaimed the nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi. F1 has a plethora of circuits dedicated to cars, such as Le Castellet (Var). Assen is only for motorcycles. It's better not to have F1 because we have fewer bumps to endure on the tarmac. »

Marc Marquez, outgoing champion and tested a Red Bull last month, continues this thought. “The F1 cars would be really fast here. There are a lot of fast turns and maybe they would only take a minute to complete a lap! We would certainly have a bumpy track, but it is not an important problem. »

The Netherlands has not hosted Formula 1 since 1985, back then between the dunes of Zandvoort.