Formula 1 has said goodbye to Circuit Zandvoort.
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, held on August 23, was the final scheduled Formula 1 race at the famous seaside circuit. After returning to the calendar in 2021 following a 36-year absence, Zandvoort’s latest chapter in F1 lasted just six races.
And fittingly, its final race delivered plenty of drama.
The End of an Era
Zandvoort has been part of Formula 1’s history since the championship’s early years. The circuit hosted its first World Championship Dutch Grand Prix in 1952, before eventually disappearing from the calendar after 1985.
After returning in 2021, the circuit quickly became one of the most recognizable venues on the F1 calendar.
Its narrow layout, fast corners, elevation changes and coastal setting gave the Dutch Grand Prix a character that was very different from many modern circuits.
But after the 2026 event, that chapter came to an end.
The local organizers had previously decided not to pursue an extension beyond 2026, bringing the latest era of Dutch Grand Prix racing to a close.
A Farewell in Front of the Orange Army
Perhaps the biggest reason Zandvoort became so special during its return was Max Verstappen.
The Dutch driver’s enormous popularity transformed the event into a sea of orange, with thousands of Verstappen supporters travelling to the circuit each year.
Verstappen’s future with Red Bull is now settled, with the four-time champion signing a new contract that will keep him with the team until 2030. [Read the previous article: Max Verstappen commits to Red Bull until 2030 🏎️🔥 ]
Verstappen won the first three Dutch Grands Prix after Zandvoort’s return, making him the dominant figure of the modern event.
His final home race, however, did not end the way fans had hoped.
Verstappen’s Final Zandvoort Race Ends Early
Verstappen’s farewell became dramatic almost immediately.
The Red Bull driver crashed out early after losing control at the final corner, bringing his final Dutch Grand Prix to an unexpectedly early end. He was unhurt, but his race was over.
For a driver who had won three times at Zandvoort since its return, it was a bitter way to say goodbye.
Still, the crowd continued to celebrate the circuit and its place in Dutch motorsport.
Norris Wins the Final Dutch Grand Prix
The final race itself belonged to Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver took victory ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, securing his second consecutive Grand Prix win.
The result also added another memorable chapter to Zandvoort’s history.
Norris had already won at the circuit in 2024, meaning his second victory made him the final winner of the Dutch Grand Prix at the venue.
Why Was Zandvoort So Special?
Zandvoort was never simply another race track.
Built among the dunes near the North Sea coast, the circuit offered a distinctive combination of elevation changes, high-speed corners and a compact layout.
Corners such as Tarzan and Hugenholtz became familiar names to F1 fans, while the atmosphere created by the Dutch supporters gave the event its own identity.
The modern Dutch Grand Prix also became famous for its enormous orange crowds.
Over the six editions of its latest F1 run, almost two million fans attended the event.
Six Races, Plenty of Memories
Zandvoort’s return produced several memorable moments.
Verstappen’s three consecutive victories from 2021 to 2023 established his dominance at his home race. Lando Norris then won in 2024, followed by Oscar Piastri in 2025.
Finally, Norris returned to the top step in 2026 to win the circuit’s last scheduled Grand Prix.
That means the modern era ended with a different winner from the driver who had dominated its opening years.
What Comes Next?
For now, Zandvoort leaves the Formula 1 calendar.
The Dutch Grand Prix organizers have described the end of the event as a moment to celebrate what was achieved during its six-year return, rather than simply focusing on its departure.
Formula 1, meanwhile, continues to expand and evolve, with new venues and changes to the calendar shaping the sport’s future.
But replacing Zandvoort’s atmosphere will not be easy.