F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Will partners come together to secure Dutch GP funding?

A concerted effort may soon be underway in the Netherlands to try and secure the funding necessary to put the country back on the F1 map in the future.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported last week that Liberty Media is open to a return to the calendar of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

Holland also has a selection of major companies involved with F1, such as Heineken, Shell, Randstad, Jumbo, Exact or broadcaster Ziggo.

However, bringing everyone together to provide the necessary funding for an event would represent a potentially massive barrier to overcome.

Zandvoort circuit owner Prince Bernard van Oranje, who is spearheading efforts to bring F1 back to the country, believes Heineken could be instrumental in the realisation of the project.

"As a worldwide sponsor of Formula 1, Heineken would love it if after all these years an F1 race would be held in the Netherlands," John-Paul Schuirink, the beer company's worldwide director of communication, told Algemeen Dagblad.

"We would certainly welcome a Formula 1 race in the Netherlands."

And an insider of the Dutch brewery giant added: "Heineken is a Dutch company, Zandvoort is the beach of Amsterdam and we already sponsor Formula 1.

"It is logical that we would also be in Zandvoort."

Another potential candidate that could possible help support a Dutch GP bid is Shell. The oil giant, and Ferrari partner, announced in June a three-year sponsorship deal with Zandvoort. Could it possibly extend its commercial involvement with Grand Prix racing in the future?

"Shell has been actively involved in motorsport for decades," said spokesman Tim Kezer.  "Our products are tested here under extreme conditions."

Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo, a personal sponsor of Max Verstappen, revealed that it would not sponsor a Dutch GP effort, but Exact Software, another Verstappen backer would be willing to get involved despite its limited resources.

"We are not a multinational like Heineken, but we want to see if there is something that we can do," said spokesperson Jelle Zuidema.

The last Dutch Grand Prix took place in 1985 at Zandvoort and was won by Ferrari's Niki Lauda.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Verstappen warns of ‘big shunts’ at daunting new Madrid circuit

Max Verstappen is expecting Formula 1’s latest new race on the calendar to come with…

9 hours ago

Brundle: Russell likely ‘bruised’ by painful Monza defeat

Sky F1's Martin Brundle suspects George Russell has every reason to look back on Monza…

10 hours ago

Scheckter brings it home for Ferrari and himself at Monza

On this day in 1979, Jody Scheckter delivered the world title to himself and to…

12 hours ago

A new Iceman cometh: Robin Raikkonen joins Red Bull Junior Team

The legend of the Iceman officially enters its next generation. Robin Räikkönen, the 11-year-old karting…

13 hours ago

Hamilton sends Ferrari fans clear message: ‘I don’t race dirty’

Lewis Hamilton has moved to extinguish any fears that his opening-lap clash with Charles Leclerc…

14 hours ago

Wolff: Antonelli ‘like an AI agent’ in relentless F1 evolution

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has watched Kimi Antonelli’s rise from promising rookie to Formula 1…

15 hours ago