F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Dutch GP at Zandvoort set to get Barcelona's slot in 2020!

It looks like next year will mark the return of the Dutch Grand Prix to the F1 calendar, but the event's arrival will be to the detriment of Barcelona.

Liberty Media has spared no effort to put the Netherlands back on F1's map, with the sport's commercial rights holder eager to capitalize on the massive popularity of Dutchman Max Verstappen.

After Zandvoort and Assen sparred during the last year for a slot on the calendar, the former has finally edged its rival and - according to Motorsport.com - has sealed a deal to host the Dutch Grand Prix on May 14, 2020.

Zandvoort's nomination as F1's first European race of the 2020 season will more than likely come at the expense of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

The event at the Circuit de Catalunya has lost the support of the local government which, coupled with the absence on the grid of Fernando Alonso, would spell financial trouble for the local promoters who would have no other choice but to abandon the event.

Zandvoort's return will require a fair amount of work to be undertaken to the track itself and to the venue's infrastructure, with the overhaul and transformations set to begin as soon as the Dutch Grand Prix if officially confirmed.

Located along the shores of the North Sea just west of Amsterdam, Zandvoort hosted its first Grand Prix in 1952 and remained the historic home of F1 in Holland until 1985.

Next season will see not only the Netherlands return to the calendar but also the arrival of Vietnam which should round off next season's initial five-race run of fly-away races.

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Michael Delaney

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