Zandvoort to end F1 race after 2026

The Dutch Grand Prix will no longer be held at Zandvoort after the 2026 season, with the race organizers opting to bring the event to a close. The previous contract ran until 2025 but a one-year extension has been agreed before the race will drop …

The Dutch Grand Prix will no longer be held at Zandvoort after the 2026 season, with the race organizers opting to bring the event to a close.

The previous contract ran until 2025 but a one-year extension has been agreed before the race will drop off the calendar, after what will have been a run of six years. The additional year will include a Sprint event held in the final season that it is part of the schedule, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says the idea of hosting races on alternate years was discussed before the promoter opted against continuing.

“I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years,” Domenicali said. “They raised the bar for European grands prix in terms of event spectacle and entertainment, supported the development of young talent by hosting F2, F3 and our F1 Academy series, and have also pioneered sustainable solutions that have inspired our events around the world as we drive towards being Net Zero by 2030.

“All parties positively collaborated to find a solution to extend the race, with many options, including alternation or annual events on the table, and we respect the decision from the promoter to finish its amazing run in 2026. I want to thank all the team at the Dutch Grand Prix and the Municipality of Zandvoort who have been fantastic partners to Formula 1.”

The return of the Dutch Grand Prix has coincided with huge success for Max Verstappen, who has been world champion in every year the race has run and this year’s second place is the only time he has failed to win at Zandvoort. The grand prix often takes on a party atmosphere, but director of the event Robert van Overdijk says there was not enough certainty to commit to hosting races long term.

“The Dutch Grand Prix is the result of a unique collaboration between SportVibes, TIG Sports, and Circuit Zandvoort, who shared the ambition of bringing the race back to the Netherlands,” van Overdijk said. “What we have achieved so far is undoubtedly a huge success. The appreciation from our visitors, drivers, and teams has been unprecedented, and we are incredibly proud of that.

“While today’s announcement signals the end of a monumental era, we are confident there is plenty more for fans to look forward to at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 and 2026, including the Sprint in 2026.

“We are a privately owned and operated business, and we must balance the opportunities presented by continuing to host the event, against other risks and responsibilities. We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026.

“We wanted to take this step while our event is adored and supported by passionate fans, residents, and the Formula 1 community. I want to thank Stefano Domenicali and all the team at Formula 1 for the hard work that has seen multiple contract extensions realized and the Dutch Grand Prix be such a success.”