Dutch GP prospects boosted by Charlie Whiting visit to Assen!

FIA safety delegate Charlie Whiting paid the Assen circuit a visit last week as the venue mulls a bid to host a Dutch Grand Prix.

Bringing Formula 1 back to Holland, which enjoyed its last championship race in 1985 at Zandvoort, is an enticing prospect for the country, and for Liberty Media, given the massive popularity of local hero Max Verstappen.

Historical venue Zandvoort is currently conducting a feasibility to gauge the economics associated with a Dutch Grand Prix.

But Assen may now have the upper hand following Whiting's visit last Friday and his subsequent assessment of the track's infrastructure.

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The 4.5-kilometer course, which enjoys a capacity of 110,000 spectators and hosts a MotoGP event each year, would not require significant improvement to receive the mandatory Grade 1 license from the FIA.

Whiting pinpointed changes to kerbs, crash barriers, the need to install Tecpro safety barriers and a few alterations to the track's layout.

The rather positive review follows the track's own assessment via computer simulation and moves Assen a step closer to the dream of bringing F1 back to Holland.

"We're not there yet, but it is nice to hear that Whiting is so positive about the circuit, the modern facilities and the state of maintenance," Arjan Bos told De Telegraaf.

"We have always said that we hope to bring the Grand Prix back to the Netherlands within three years. At the moment I estimate the chance at 50/50."

Beyond Assen's suitability however, a Dutch Grand Prix would still require a promoter. The project has generated interest from the Netherlands and abroad, according to Bos.

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