Will the Zandvoort circuit offer a procession?

The return of Dutch Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar from spring 2020 does not go without raising some questions. Indeed, some drivers fear a lack of spectacle on the Zandvoort side.

Questioned in the paddock of Barcelona (Spain), Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) did not fail to point out the narrowness of the track. “The circuit is very fast, old-fashioned and, in terms of driving, it’s fun. But it is precisely fast and narrow in certain places, it will not be exciting for overtaking in my opinion”, says the Australian. 

During the tests of DTM and Tourism (WTCC and WTCR), the most important overtaking opportunities are at the end of the main straight (678 meters long), at the banked Tarzan bend… and that's about it. The route has 14 bends along the 4,307 km, steep drops and lots of fast curves.

And here it is: our very own track animation. Let's take a closer look at the circuit, animated by @F1 #DutchGP pic.twitter.com/ChOMtunGZs

— Circuit Zandvoort (@CPZtweets) 14th May 2019

« With the width of the cars now it would probably be like a city track in some places, and at high speed in others, continues Daniel Ricciardo. We'll see but I think it will be difficult to expect an exciting race. » Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) bluntly stated that the Barcelona circuit offered “definitely more overtaking than at Zandvoort”, This shows that the spectacle risks being weak according to the quadruple world champion!

The German, a lover of the history of his sport and old-fashioned routes, is very afraid that Zandvoort will be distorted for security reasons. “If we go there, the gravel won’t be there anymore,” he feared during a Catalan press conference. 

On this subject, little information has leaked. Jan Lammers, spokesperson for the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix, simply said: “To respond to the desires of the F1 and the standards required by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the circuit and infrastructure will be modernized in certain areas. »

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, concedes that he “There are a lot of preparations needed to bring the circuit to the level of safety needed to host F1”. Will sandboxes, an endangered species on contemporary routes, be preserved? In any case, the adjoining Dutch dunes would provide good material to slow down the cars.