The Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort will be held for the final time later this month, concluding a six-year return to the Formula 1 calendar. Max Verstappen, who has a strong record at his home race, acknowledged the end of an era.
The event’s organisers have elected not to renew the contract beyond 2026, citing financial risks and the lack of government subsidies. The decision was made to conclude while the event remains highly popular.
The Dutch GP returned in 2021 after a 36-year absence, largely driven by Verstappen’s success. Its festival-like atmosphere and fan engagement quickly set a new benchmark for other circuits on the calendar.
Verstappen won the first three editions upon its return from 2021 to 2023. However, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claimed victories in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Reflecting on the race’s departure, Verstappen noted its influence on other Grands Prix. “I think many Grands Prix have learned from this, and they are adapting things with the experience of a weekend,” he stated.
‘I think it’s just great that it happened, that I was of course able to be a part of it and that we were ultimately able to win a few. Nobody can take that away from us anymore!’
Jos Verstappen also commented on the decision, expressing pride in what the Zandvoort organisers achieved. “It’s a shame, especially for the Dutch fans. But I think we can be glad that the event came here,” he said.
The privately-funded nature of the Dutch GP made it an outlier, with organisers pointing to rising F1 hosting fees as a significant factor. The final edition in 2026 will feature a sprint race for the first time.
Despite its success, with attendance figures consistently around 305,000 for recent race weekends, the financial model was deemed unsustainable long-term without state support. The 2021 event alone generated an estimated €44.5 million in additional spending for the Amsterdam region.
