Uncertain future looms: Dutch F1 GP at risk amidst rotation talks
Jun.17 - Zandvoort boss Robert van Overdijk admits a cloud hangs over the future of the highly-popular Dutch F1 GP.
Recent reports suggest the event might have to alternate a single annual calendar spot with the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps.
"We know that FOM wants to move towards a situation with fewer races in Europe and may start working with a rotation schedule from 2025," van Overdijk told Dutch media.
"But we don't know what that will look like," he added.
"It is certainly not self-evident that we will remain on the calendar every year after 2025, although that is of course our ambition."
Complicating the situation even further for the Dutch F1 GP organisers is that local authorities are set to impose a EUR 900,000 tax on the event to cover associated costs.
"We do not agree," van Overdijk said, "because we think we bring a lot of money in with this event and the municipality can live on that for years to come.
"But if it's introduced, we'll have to swallow it."
As for F1's idea about a sort of 'Benelux GP' rotating between Zandvoort and Spa each year, van Overdijk suggests the ball is very much in Formula 1's court.
"What happens after 2025 is not for us but for FOM to determine," he insisted.
"We have not yet had any discussions about this, because FOM has not yet decided. Many contracts with circuits expire in 2025 and FOM will have to figure out how many races they still want in Europe."
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I doubt a rotation involving these two events would happen even post-2025.
What the hell? They have a storied track and huge support for a current & future champion. At risk? What, is there another sandland city with $50m to line Liberty's coffers?
Agreed , the Dutch Gov should stump up the fee, not the royal family who own the track , who get there money from the Gov anyway, pay the money its promoting a Nation , lets face it no other Dutch sportsman does more in terms of promoting a nation than Max
Sorry to laugh, but that is the weakest competition of VER's life. LOL
very true lol