Zandvoort banking is revealed

This will be one of the main characteristics of the Zandvoort circuit, which will host from May 1st to 3rd the Dutch Grand Prix, for the return of a Dutch round to the calendar F1 for the first time since 1985.

Significant modernization work was undertaken as soon as the presence of the event on the calendar was announced, and two turns were quickly identified to accommodate a banking, curves n°3 (John Hugenholtz, named after the former director of the site), and n°14 (Arie Luyendyk, double winner of the Indy 500), with inclinations of approximately 19°.

Enough to offer a real challenge to the drivers, F1 having not faced real banking since the races organized in the 2000s in Indianapolis. A technical challenge as well, since Pirelli is currently testing a specific tire in Barcelona to respond to the constraints placed on the rubber.

The asphalt laid in these areas remains specific, and very typical oval safety elements (SAFER barriers and protective mesh) have also been installed.

“The challenge will be really huge because these cars are not designed to cope with such banking, so the teams will have to think about it, not only in terms of the tires but also the suspension, indicates Jarno Zaffelli, from the Dromo entity which took care of the construction.

The sequence to enter turns 2 and 3 and then exit turn 4 will require adjustments which will be a compromise because if you want to go fast there you will have to go slow in another section. »