Extra access road in Zandvoort for visitors to Formula 1 qualifications

The influx of visitors to the Zandvoort circuit “went well” on Saturday morning and afternoon. A spokesperson for the municipality said that NRC, just before qualifying started on Saturday. The racing enthusiasts saw Max Verstappen conquer pole position around 4.20 pm for the race that takes place on Sunday.

The organization of the Dutch Grand Prix, and the municipality, took extra measures after Friday to manage the crowds around the race track. For example, the municipality has designated an additional access road to the circuit: “Visitors can also walk down a street from the boulevard to get to the site. It is also open on Sundays. On Friday there was only one access road.” The organization reported the presence of about 70,000 visitors around the race area. After qualifying on Saturday afternoon, those people were advised to continue up the boulevard, to beach bars or the beach. That was a way of spreading out the visitors a bit more and making their departure from the city more orderly.

‘Better Dissemination’

Many fans come to Zandvoort by train and then walk to the circuit. Until 12.30 p.m. Saturday, the NS had almost 24,000 visitors, slightly more than the average 23,000 travelers expected on the trains to Zandvoort. There were also more travelers on Friday, namely more than 27,000. According to an NS spokesperson, the transport on the railway went without incident. “It’s busy, but not too busy,” he counters NRC. A new train leaves every five minutes. If it gets too crowded on a train, someone will be on the platform to regulate this.” About three hundred extra employees have been deployed.

The NS also speaks of a festive atmosphere at stations and in the trains. The municipal spokesperson, who NRC spoke by phone from one of the stands, also states that the “atmosphere is good, you can hear happy people on this side of the line”. According to him, thanks to the extra access route, there is “a better distribution” of visitors on Saturday. On Friday led images of large crowds to indignation on social media and some ministers also expressed concerns about compliance with corona measures.

The Grand Prix at Zandvoort is a staged event, so people have to stay put. A maximum of 65,000 spectators can be present.

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