Circuit Zandvoort sits on the North Sea coastline, about 30 kilometres west of Amsterdam, in the sand dunes next to the resort town of Zandvoort in the Netherlands. It opened in 1948 and, like Spa, started as a mixture of permanent racetrack and public roads through the town, which strangely enough has sand dunes.
Formula 1 raced here from 1952 to 1985, and the circuit returned to the calendar in 2021 as the home of the Dutch Grand Prix, largely because of the popularity of Max Verstappen. Most drivers consider it a rollercoaster lap, and organisers have modernised the circuit with higher banking, angled at about 18 degrees, so it is now a very demanding track.
However, the layout has changed several times over the years. The lap was 2.605 miles (4.193 km) from 1948 to 1971, 2.626 miles (4.226 km) from 1972 to 1979 and 2.642 miles (4.252 km) from 1980 to 1989. Then it dropped to 1.570 miles (2.526 km) from 1990 to 1998, before organisers extended it to 2.676 miles (4.307 km) from 1999 to 2019. Since 2020 it has measured 2.646 miles (4.259 km).
The Circuit Zandvoort Track
The sweeping Scheivlak and the cambered Tarzanbocht (Tarzan Corner) are among the most famous corners on the circuit. Tarzan is a hairpin at the end of the start-finish straight, so it is the main overtaking spot, and the DRS zone on the pit straight helps the attack.
Turn 3, the Hugenholtzbocht, is a left-hander with banking that drivers can take at speed, and the flowing sequence through the dunes that follows is among the most challenging in Formula 1. Meanwhile, the final corner, Arie Luyendyk, also has banking and leads onto the pit straight.
Because the lap is narrow and undulating, and sand blows across the track, drivers have little margin. In addition, the sea wind can change the balance of the car during a lap, so the circuit remains a challenge for teams, engineers and drivers.
Overall, Circuit Zandvoort is 4.259 kilometres (2.646 miles) long with 14 corners, and the race runs for 72 laps.
Circuit Zandvoort Fast Facts
| Circuit Zandvoort Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Detail | Information |
| Grand Prix | Dutch Grand Prix |
| Circuit | Circuit Zandvoort |
| Location | Zandvoort, Netherlands |
| Lap Length | 4.259 km (2.646 miles) |
| Number Of Laps | 72 |
| Race Distance | 306.587 km (190.504 miles) |
| Number Of Corners | 14 |
| First Grand Prix | 1952 |
Conclusion
Circuit Zandvoort stands out for its dune setting and two banked corners, so it feels different from almost every other track. For up-to-date race times, session times, results and official notices, visit our Formula 1 hub, the Formula 1 website and the FIA website.
Questions People Ask
Where Is Circuit Zandvoort?
It is in Zandvoort, Netherlands, so it sits about 30 kilometres west of Amsterdam on the North Sea coast.
How Long Is Circuit Zandvoort?
One lap is 4.259 km (2.646 miles), so a full race of 72 laps adds up to 306.587 km (190.504 miles).
How Many Laps Does the Dutch Grand Prix Have?
The cars run 72 laps, so they cover 306.587 km (190.504 miles) in total.
How Many Corners Does Zandvoort Have?
The lap has 14 corners, but the Tarzan hairpin at the end of the pit straight is the main place to pass.
When Did Formula 1 First Race at Zandvoort?
The first Formula 1 race here took place in 1952, and the sport raced here until 1985.
How Many Banked Corners Does Zandvoort Have?
There are two, because Turn 3, the Hugenholtzbocht, and the final corner both have banking.
When Did Formula 1 Return to Zandvoort?
Formula 1 returned in 2021, although it had raced there from 1952 to 1985.
