The 5 memorable F1 races at Zandvoort

• 1973: Roger Williamson dies on live TV

On the 8th lap of the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix, Roger Williamson (March) suffered a puncture and lost control of his car. He hit the outer rail, crossed the track and his car overturned before catching fire. His friend David Purley was behind him at the time of the accident. He stops and tries to help him as Roger Williamson screams for help.

Meanwhile, the race continues as if nothing had happened and the other drivers do not stop. The commissioners, not equipped with adequate clothing, did not intervene. David Purley tries everything possible to save pilot March. He takes a fire extinguisher from a marshal to put out the fire and tries several times to turn the car over, in vain. When he no longer hears his friend screaming, David Purley understands that the latter did not survive. The pilot crosses the track, disgusted, under the eyes of amazed viewers. Cameras around the world missed nothing of the scene. The entire planet saw a fatal accident live F1.

• 1975: James Hunt unlocks his Grand Prix record

The Zandvoort track marks a turning point in James Hunt's career. At the wheel of the Hesketh team car, the Briton won his first victory on Dutch soil. Started 3rd on the starting grid, behind the Ferrari of Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni, James Hunt stopped early in the race to switch to slick tires, on a track that was not completely dry. The undercut works and James Hunt finds himself in the lead of the race. But his lead over Niki Lauda is shrinking because the Austrian has fresher tires. With 20 laps to go, the two cars are wheel to wheel. However, the Ferrari driver does not attack his rival and is just content to put pressure on him. Some observers do not understand the strategy of Niki Lauda, ​​who is racing to score big points in the championship. James Hunt, for his part, is very happy with this strategy and crosses the line as winner, his arms raised towards the sky.

• 1979: Gilles Villeneuve and the improbable return to the stand

The Ferrari mechanics present at this 1979 Zandvoort GP must still be wondering how Gilles Villeneuve was able to bring the car back to his stand. At the start of the race, the Canadian suffered a slow left rear puncture. This handicaps him and his rival Alan Jones gets dangerously close. Gilles Villeneuve does not stop and spins. He reverses dangerously on the track and leaves at full speed. His rear suspension collapsed and the Ferrari driver had to return to the pits on 3 wheels. He finishes his re-entry lap by driving with one hand, the other raised to signal that he is idling. When he returned to the box, the Ferrari mechanics congratulated him for being able to bring the car back despite its condition.

• 1981-1984: French domination at Zandvoort 

The Dutch Grand Prix has often been successful for French drivers. In 1981, Alain Prost wins the edition at the wheel of his Renault. The future quadruple world champion launches a series of four editions where French drivers triumph. Didier Pironi won in 1982 with a Ferrari. The next year, Rene Arnoux imitates him behind the wheel of the same car. Before Alain Prost won a second victory on the circuit in 1984, with his McLaren. Four in a row! Enough to give ideas to Pierre Gasly et Esteban Ocon ? Answer Sunday. 

Alain Prost (Renault) tasted victory for the first time at Zandvoort in 1981. ©DPPI.

• 1985: Niki Lauda's last 

After more than a year without a victory, Niki Lauda wants at all costs to return to success before bowing out. An engine problem in qualifying gave him no better than a 10th place on the starting grid. When the lights went out, Nelson Piquet and Thierry Boutsen stalled. There is panic in the peloton and Niki Lauda takes advantage of this to gain 4 positions. Alain Prost's poor pit stop in the middle of the race allowed the Austrian to find himself in the lead. But with fresher tires, the Frenchman came back at full speed and made the junction 7 laps from the finish. Everyone is waiting for a team order to help Alain Prost win, but it does not come. Even though he is faster than his teammate, Alain Prost cannot pass him. Niki Lauda, ​​clever, uses a wheel which gives him a few additional horses on straight lines. He adds to this a virile defense and crosses the line as the big winner. He signs his 25th and final victory in Formula 1. 

Niki Lauda (McLaren) will have accomplished his mission to return to success before retiring. ©DPPI.