Dutch F1 journalist says Zandvoort cannot host event without fans
May 11 - The Dutch F1 GP cannot take place as a 'ghost race', according to well-known Dutch commentator Olav Mol.
The recent messages from the race organisers at Zandvoort have been similar, as covid continues to cause cancellations like Montreal and now even endanger the recently scheduled Canadian GP replacement venue in Istanbul.
As for the Dutch F1 GP, scheduled for September, Mol told Dutch radio NPO Radio 1: "Time is going unbelievably fast.
"We are already in May so we will be racing in four months - that will come in no time. We're still living in the corona crisis and Zandvoort still has to continue with their preparations.
"Ultimately, there is a point at which the grandstands have to be installed, as those stands are largely temporary," Mol added.
He says the deadline for erecting the grandstands will be the moment at which the decision about whether to push ahead or wait yet another year must be taken.
"As soon as grandstands appear, that will be a good sign that the race will go on. A race at Zandvoort without an audience is not really an option," said Mol.
"Remember, the race came about largely because FOM saw that thousands of fans wearing orange were being seen all around the world. They wanted to organise a mega party in the Netherlands, with an even bigger sea of orange," he added.
"They are also planning to build a large festival around it, so it will be a whole experience on and also around the circuit."
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But it has to be about The Race, with so much TV ( good or bad ) most of us can watch at least the highlights of a race, yes spectators are great but a race is Better than NO race.
Mr. Mol makes valid points, but offers no reason why Zandvoort can't be a ghost race. Whether we like it or not, electronic media and television contracts are now the deciding factors. Canada (and probably Mexico and Brazil) cannot run because of the metro locations exposure. Zandvoort has no such challenge.
guess its down to the race fee 20 million euros unless they are just angling for a VERY big discount
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