F1 | Organizers had to give up on hosting the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix at full-capacity
Following new regulations from the Dutch government, Formula One Heineken Dutch GP will welcome a limited audience of 70 thousand spectators.
On August 13th, the Dutch government announced new limitations for sporting events, implying that the 2021 Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix will take place with a capacity reduced to 67%.
The countdown towards the return of Formula 1 after the summer break has begun and so is the countdown to seeing Zandvoort back on the calendar after 35 years.
Due to the pandemic, last year the circuit didn’t host any Grand Prix This time around, the organizers were hoping to make their return on the calendar with a full house, amounting to more than one-hundred thousand people.
The Dutch GP was originally planned for May 2021 but hoping that the health emergency would have improved by the autumn, thus allowing to host 105.000 spectators per day. The organisation opted to swap dates and set the race at the beginning of September.
Organizers were previously sure that it would have been possible to host the first F1 race in Zandvoort since 1985 in front of packed grandstands.
A lot of hard work has gone into rebuilding the circuit and organizing one of the biggest sporting events in Dutch history.
However, to avoid postponing the race for the second time in a row, Dutch GP managers opted for a compromise, reducing the number of people who will be allowed into the venue.
This decision means that there will be no change to the calendar and Zandvoort remains the first race of the triple-header with Spa and Monza at the beginning of September.
“For me, the glass is two-thirds full. We’re just going to do it. The three companies behind the Dutch Grand Prix, Circuit Zandvoort, SportVibes and TIG Sports, have decided to invest in the future of F1 in the Netherlands,” said Sporting director Jan Lammers in a statement,
“The belief in the ambition to organize the biggest Ultimate Race Festival in the world remains the primary goal for the coming years. This year, admittedly in a smaller firm, but despite that, the battle for the World Championship will be fought in a beautiful orange ambience in the stands.”
The organization is pleased that the majority of our ticket holders will have the opportunity to witness the battle for the Formula One World Championship live at the circuit. Yet, it is very disappointing for the group of fans who won’t be present in Zandvoort.
