Work in progress at the Zandvoort circuit
Under contract until 2025 but under threat from the FIA, the Zandvoort circuit, whose Grand Prix will take place from August 23 to 25, has begun a phase of work to bring it as close as possible to FIA standards and hope to renew its contract in the future.
Many drivers have denounced the narrowness of the pit lane at Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands in 2023. Last year, after several incidents, Carlos Sainz stated that we should think about the mechanics. George Russell, president of GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association), also echoed the words of the Spanish driver: “In Zandvoort, it was certainly too narrow, and something needs to be done. It must be very intimidating for the mechanics.”
The words of the president of the circuit.
If a renovation of a part of the paddock is underway, it is indeed the pit lane that is the focus of attention regarding the circuit’s renovation, as stated by the president of Zandvoort Circuit, Robert van Overdijk.
We are actually trying to separate the garages from each other to give each one a little more space and make them safer. Indeed, the pit lane is being extended with the creation of additional garages, as confirmed by the track director. Increasing the number of garages will also allow for the expansion of the second floor of the pit building, which will also benefit the Paddock Club.
These new facilities, both for increased sports security and also for greater revenue, including the development of the paddock area with improved capacity, will enable the Zandvoort circuit to establish itself in the long term and hope to renew its contract with Formula 1 beyond 2025.
Furthermore, this massive investment in the works also serves other events than Formula 1. The circuit wants to be part of a profitability dynamic and diversify activities, as specified by its director, Robert van Overdijk. In addition to F1, this additional space can also be used for corporate events that we organize throughout the year, so the investment will be recouped in a relatively short period of time.
The appearance of other garages in this pit lane could favor the arrival of an eleventh team in Formula 1. Zandvoort was one of the Grand Prix where accommodating an additional team seemed impossible, similar to Monaco for example. Now, thanks to the widening of the pit lane, the situation is no longer the same. The construction works should be completed around the month of April.
