Environmentalists worry about work on the Dutch Grand Prix

The return of the Formula 1 in the Netherlands in spring 2020 is shaping up to be a party. At the end of August, more than a million people had already sent a ticket request for the event organized on the Zandvoort circuit the weekend of May 1-3, but it turns out that the event raises the reluctance of environmental organizations.

Indeed, several of the largest organizations in the country (notably Stichting Duinbehoud, Rust bij de Kust and Milieudefensie), have referred the matter to the Haarlem court, according to information relayed by the media NU.nl.

Environmentalists are not fundamentally against holding this test. Their fear concerns the development work to welcome the great Barnum of F1, of F2 and the FIA F3. These provide for the construction of stands, a noise barrier and new access roads. 

However, the Zandvoort circuit is located on the edge of the North Sea and is surrounded by dunes. The associations fear that these works will cause serious damage to the coastal zone and the eradication of certain animal species from their natural habitat. 

The case should certainly be brought before the Haarlem court beginning of October. The organizations want the judge to stop the work until environmental concerns are taken into account by the Grand Prix organizers.

In addition, another file is causing headaches in the country of Max Verstappen : money. The budget to host F1 is “under tension” according to this media, which cites the figure of 4 million euros. For example, this envelope does not include the increase in train rotations towards the circuit, which will only be possible after work on the railway track.