Dutch Grand Prix sees a potential path back to F1 amid Middle East uncertainty

The Dutch Grand Prix is bidding goodbye to Formula 1 on Sunday but its organizers say it could potentially “serve as an alternative venue” in the future amid continuing uncertainty over next year’s schedule.

Already this year, the security situation in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Iran war has meant Bahrain’s race was moved to Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was canceled.

F1 has indicated at least one extra event in Europe if the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi can’t take place as planned. One likely candidate could be the Imola circuit in Italy. There are more question marks over how the four contracted Middle East races could be included in the 2027 schedule.

“Circuit Zandvoort could serve as an alternative venue in the future if another Grand Prix were unable to take place due to geopolitical circumstances, for example. The circuit’s FIA Grade 1 license will remain valid for another three years,” the Dutch Grand Prix organization told The Associated Press in a statement Saturday.

“In practice, however, many factors would need to be considered, including the necessary permits, the availability of equipment and the required preparation time. Moreover, there are other venues on the Formula 1 calendar that would make more sense from a logistical perspective. At this stage, therefore, this is not a concrete scenario.”

F1 did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.

What makes the Dutch Grand Prix different

The Dutch Grand Prix is a relative rarity in modern F1 as a privately run project that doesn’t rely on government backing.

That makes it crucial to sell out tickets because hosting a race at Zandvoort requires spending around 75 million euros ($87.6 million) to set up infrastructure, including temporary stands seating tens of thousands of fans around the seaside circuit.

The Dutch Grand Prix returned to F1 in 2021 for the first time since 1985 and the success of four-time champion Max Verstappen — who this week signed a new contract through 2030 — has been crucial to its success. Organizers declined a potential contract extension in 2024 citing “risks and responsibilities” and a desire to go out on a high.

Replacement venues come with challenges

Fitting in a race in Europe after the scheduled Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 21 could mean F1 teams and spectators dealing with weather far colder than at most races.

“I think if it were to be Imola, and to be clear, that isn’t confirmed or otherwise, the weather will be interesting and spicy, but it would still be nice to go back to a European race at the end of it,” Williams team principal James Vowles said Friday.

“I know F1 are working incredibly hard for that not to happen and for the calendar to continue as is.”

There’s also the question of funding. F1’s agreement to return to Malaysia in October for the first time in nine years involved working with the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia to agree a deal that keeps Bahrain Grand Prix branding and denotes Malaysia as “host venue”.

Drivers and teams don’t know for sure where and when the season will end, but title contenders George Russell and Lando Norris said Thursday it isn’t affecting their preparations.

“I’m not even thinking of what I’m going to do on Monday yet,” Norris joked. “Lack of clarity at the minute doesn’t change anything.”

Russell added: “I prefer more races than less. That’s the only thing I would wish for. But it’s out of our control, it’s out of Formula 1’s control as well, so it is what it is.”

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