If it is necessary, the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix can put ring-leaders outside the gates. Yet director Jan Lammers counts on common sense from the decent majority in the first weekend of September.
“If you are drunk and rowdy in the pub, you will be kicked out. That is no different here”, Lammers was clear. On Friday, Zandvoort looked ahead to the second edition of the new-style Dutch Grand Prix. The events in Austria last weekend are of course a topic for discussion for the organization, but not a matter of concern.
“I am convinced that in Austria only 1 percent of the fans misbehaved in the end,” Lammers said. “We are of course ashamed of that, it has also hurt other fans. Max Verstappen has spoken out against it.”
Circuit director Robert van Overdijk explained that in six weeks security can “turn the knobs” if necessary. Lammers hopes it won’t be necessary. “I’m counting on common sense from the fans. This is also a family event after all. I assume the large crowd just want to show themselves from the best side, and correct others when necessary.”
‘We don’t have any campsites’
Lammers pointed out that the race in Austria differs in an important way from that in Zandvoort. “There you have campsites where a total of 50,000 people stay. We don’t have that here, our campsite can accommodate a maximum of 5,000 visitors. And the program in Spielberg also ended after 6 pm,” said the former driver. His expectation is that excessive alcohol consumption and boredom are less likely to occur.
Large campsites are not possible at Zandvoort, so a large part of the expected 110,000 daily visitors must travel up and down each day. To this end, the organization is relaunching the mobility plan that was tried and tested last year.
Van Overdijk: “We set a new benchmark in 2021, for which we received a lot of praise. Only 2 percent eventually came with the car.”
In 2021, only 2 percent of regular visitors came by car.
In 2021, only 2 percent of regular visitors came by car. Photo: ANP 
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Regular visitors are not allowed to come by car in 2022
Yet the circuit director, in his own words, remains “with his feet on the ground”. There are no guarantees that it will be crescendo again this year, although the organization does have a lock on the door to keep cars away. They are not welcome at all, at least not with regular visitors in them.
“Last year we saw that there was still a lot of capacity left in the train,” explained Van Overdijk. “In addition, we want to further refine our bicycle plan and link up with the existing infrastructure of Connexxion. You can soon be dropped off at the door of the circuit by bus.”
According to the organization, it is important to offer fans an alternative that is always better than the car. “And in the long run we even want to become the first car-free event in the Netherlands. Although we still have to discuss this with Formula 1 and the teams,” added Van Overdijk.
‘No panic heard about corona yet’
During the 2021 edition, the corona pandemic still played a major role, forcing the number of visitors to be reduced to 65,000 per day. “At the time, that mainly affected people without fixed seats,” said the circuit director.
“But we are in a very different position now. I also read the newspapers, of course, but we have not yet heard a government panic,” he said. “So we do not assume that the virus will play a major role. But if it does, we have already shown that we can deal with that too.”
The corona pandemic still had a major impact on the 2021 edition.
The corona pandemic still had a major impact on the 2021 edition. Photo: ANP
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Contract extension looks good
The event, which will be supplemented this year by Formula 2 and the Porsche Supercup, has a solid place on the Formula 1 calendar. “That is quite impressive, to be among all those world cities with Zandvoort as a village,” Van Overdijk smiled.
Talks about continuing the contract after 2023 are already underway. “It is not yet a foregone conclusion that we will remain on the calendar, but it looks good. We hope for clarity sometime in November.”
That potential extension will be a thorn in the side of opponents. On Tuesday, for example, there will be summary proceedings before the Council of State, about nitrogen deposition. Van Overdijk looks forward to the case with confidence.
“We have already been ruled in favor by two judges in this matter. And we have already won the 37 procedures for this. So it would be strange if we lose now,” the circuit director was optimistic. “But even if we do lose, normally this year’s Grand Prix is not in jeopardy.”
The Grand Prix of the Netherlands will be held from 2 to 4 September.
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