ZANDVOORT: 2026 Track Analysis

When we return from the summer break in two weeks time we will be treated to the Dutch Grand Prix held at Zandvoort. It will also hold a sprint race this year. Here is everything you need to know for the 21-23 August

Key Facts:

Length = 4.259 kilometres (2.646 miles)

Sprint Laps = 24

Grand Prix Laps = 72

Race distance = 306.587 kilometres (190.504 miles)

A place of history:

Zandvoort is a history rich track. The track was first opened in 1948 following an increasing interest in motorsport across Europe following World War II. The original layout combined permanent track features and public roads of the local town.

It held its first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1952. The race was dominated by Alberto Ascari and it was a Ferrari 1-2-3 as his teammates Nino Farina and Luigi Villoresi finished off the podium. F1 continued to race there on an off until 1985 when the circuit did not make its return until 2021, 35 years later. The 2026 race will be the last one held in Zandvoort as the track has no contract moving forward and it seems unlikely the organisers will run the event again due to the financial pressures of the event.

The Track Now:

Zandvoort has just 14 corners, but they are not easy. The twists, turns and elevation changes make this track incredibly tricky to drive.

Turn 1, nicknamed Tarzan corner is a heavy breaking right hairpin turn. There's usually a lot of action into turn 1 as it is one of the better overtaking opportunities on the track. It flows into Turn two, a fast right-hand sweep. Turn 3 is a tight and heavily banked 19-degree left hand bowl, overtakes are not recommended here as the banking acts as a catapult and you may end up doing what Kimi Antonelli did to Charles Leclerc during the 2025 Grand Prix. It is usually better to take the high line around this corner.

Out of turn 3 there's a fast and undulating right hand section (turn 4). Turn 5 is a fast right hand kink which leads to turn 6, a blind sweeping right hander. Turn 7 is one of the scariest corners, it is taken incredibly fast yet it is somewhat blind for the drivers as the track dips underneath them. Turn 8 is a right hander that leads to 9 which is also a sweeping right curve.

Turn 10 is a sweeping banked right turn, its important to get a good exit here as it leads to a small straight section of the track. It is not usually the greatest overtaking place as the straight is a bit too short to get proper momentumn to launch an attack and the next corners being a chicane make it tricky to pull off a move in the breaking zone but if you get a notably bad exit you might be at risk of a jump. Turns 11 and 12 are a tight left-right chichane.

Turn 13 is a quick right hand kink which sets you up for turn 14. Turn 14, the final corner, is named Arie Luyendyk as a tribute to the 2 time Indianapolis 500 winner and features a banking of 18 degrees. That is double the banking found at Indianapolis. After turn 14 the cars are launched back onto the start-finish straight.

Below is the track map for the 2026 Grand Prix. There are only 2 straight mode zones, the only track so far this year was Monaco with 0.

Weather:

The weather can also impact the Dutch Grand Prix. As the track is very close to the sea, conditions can change rapidly and can be relatively unpredictable. Strong winds and sand being blown onto the track can add a layer of difficulty when deciding what strategy should be used. It is not uncommon for there to be rainfall during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.

Memorable moments at the Dutch circuit:

1952 = Ascari wins first F1 Grand Prix held at the circuit.

1960’s = Jim Clark claimed the record for the most victories at the circuit with 4. He won in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. He still holds this record although Verstappen is close to matching him with 3 victories at the circuit.

1975 = James Hunt and Niki Lauda battled, which ultimately led to Hunt holding Lauda off for long enough to claim his first victory.

1979 = Gilles Villeneuve drove a flat out lap on three wheels. After passing Alan Jones for the lead, a slow puncture spun him yet he fought his way to the pits, thrilling the crowd and his mechanics.

1985 = Lauda started in P10 but turned it into a masterclass. He surged through the field using a brilliant strategy and held off teammate Alain Prost, who was on fresher tires, in the closing laps. He clinched the win by just 0.232 seconds. That day he equalled Jim Clark’s record of 25 victories. That was also the last race at Zandvoort until 2021.

2021 = Zandvoort’s return was done in style. The first lap was filled with chaos as drivers fought with rain that helped reshuffle the field, but Max Verstappen went on to claim his first home victory cheered on enthusiastically by his fellow countrymen. He became the first Dutch driver to win his home race.