Formula 1 News: Zandvoort track damaged ahead of Dutch GP

(GMM) Severe weather in the Netherlands has caused flooding and damage in Zandvoort, including to the town’s Formula 1 circuit just five weeks before the scheduled Dutch GP.

An alarming picture was posted on Twitter/X showing a huge channel of water cutting across the tarmac of the track. It shows lots of surface water, sand and debris on a corner, next to a giant grandstand for viewing.

Starting Sunday night, torrential rains battered the municipality, with water levels reaching 15 to 20 inches in some areas after a nearby watershed overflowed.

“This Monday has not been an easy day for the residents of Zandvoort,” Soy Motor reported.

One social media user said the F1 venue has been impacted, including flooded access roads, erosion, and apparent damage to the track surface at the banked final corner.

“There goes Zandvoort,” the caption to a photo revealing the damage read.

Local reports said the town’s water reservoir was full, meaning the reservoir by the Circuit Zandvoort was used as a back-up.

The conditions forced the postponement of a planned test session by Delft University students, who were set to run their hydrogen-powered vehicle. “Our car runs on hydrogen, but it can’t handle that much water,” student Renzo Bootsma told NOS.

“It’s a shame, because tonight we were going to do a longer test drive for the first time.”

Track officials are yet to comment on the timeline for repairs, just over 30 days before the Dutch GP.