Zandvoort returned to the Formula 1 calendar for 2021 - but not the Zandvoort that we all remembered.
For years now the Dutch fans have been bringing the party atmosphere to Formula 1 in support of their man Max Verstappen, and finally they have a race on home soil again.
The Netherlands has a population of 17.5 million, and the municipality of Zandvoort serves as one of the country's major beach resorts. It has a population of around 17,000.
Ahead of its Formula 1 return Circuit Zandvoort underwent a major transformation, the biggest of those changes being the introduction of two banked corners.
The now 4.259 km-track introduced banking to the iconic Hugenholtzbocht corner, while Arie Luyendijkbocht, the last corner of the lap, features banking at 19 degrees, making it twice as steep as the banking seen at Indianapolis.
The circuit features 14 turns, and the firm in charge of redesigning the track, Dromo Circuit Design, said they wanted to emulate Eau Rouge and Raidillon at Spa, and Silverstone's fast-paced sweep of Maggotts and Becketts as the fastest F1 cars to date are sent thundering around a new and improved Zandvoort.
Fittingly, it was Verstappen who delivered an emphatic victory in front of his home fans in 2021 to mark Formula 1's return to Zandvoort.
After Verstappen made it back-to-back wins in 2022, Zandvoort and F1 announced a new deal that runs through to the end of the 2025.
After negotiating the first right-hander drivers sweep through Turn 2 and are forced to negotiate some elevation changes through Turn 3 before arriving at the now banked Hugenholtz corner.
A quick sweeping section follows for the drivers to blast through, before a double right-hander which offers an overtaking spot for the brave.
Drivers must then bear left through a wide curved section, before braking hard into a right-to-left chicane.
It's then another right before arriving at the impressively reprofiled Arie Luyendijkbocht to launch competitors on to the main straight and begin the next lap of this historic circuit.
Turn 1 (Tarzan corner) - A tight right bend which presents a harsh braking zone for drivers after that blast down the straight.
Turn 2 (Gerlach corner) - The track rises up into this slight right-hand bend, flat in a modern F1 car.
Turn 3 (Hugenholtz corner) - Already an iconic turn, this sweeping but deceptively tight left now features banking to allow for different racing lines.
Turn 4 (Hunzerug) - Rising uphill now into a little left kink, no need to lift.
Turn 5 (Rob Slotemaker corner) - This time a right kink, again full throttle is the way to go.
Turn 6 (Scheivlak) - Hang on through this 140mph sweeping right, for those who don't, the gravel awaits.
Turn 7 (Masters corner, formerly Marlboro corner) - The kerb is tight for this right-hander but the widening track that follows encourages drivers to get the power down.
Turn 8 - But be careful, because a sharper right follows swiftly.
Turn 9 - After accelerating it's a dab of brakes again for this sweeping left that demands a lot from the front tyres.
Turn 10/11 - (Hans Ernst corner, formerly Audi S corner) - A right-to-left chicane that presents an overtaking opportunity, but also the chance of disaster.
Turn 12 - (Kumho corner) - Take some pace into this right, but don't be too greedy, that gravel trap is unforgiving.
Turns 13/14 (Arie Luyendyk corner) - This flat out right has been transformed with 19-degree banking, encouraging drivers to take different routes as they build up for the DRS-assisted straight.
Friday 23 August
Free practice 1: 12.30pm-1.30pm [11.30am-12.30pm UK]
Free practice 2: 4pm-5pm [3pm-4pm UK]
Saturday 24 August
Free practice 3: 11.30am-12.30pm [10.30am-11.30am UK]
Qualifying: 3pm [2pm UK]
Sunday 25 August
Race: 3pm [2pm UK]
Formula 1 fans can get their hands on Dutch Grand Prix tickets via the official Formula 1 ticketing website. Fans are asked to leave their e-mail after clicking on the Dutch GP tickets section, so that they can be notified if tickets are available.
You can also find tickets at grandprixevents.com, who currently have a range of F1 Experiences ticket packages on sale for those with some extra cash spare. Motorsporttickets.com are also worth checking out, with their ticket packages to be launched at a later date.
You can also register for ticket sales through the official Dutch Grand Prix website.
There is plenty of room for the supporters who wish to pack into Zandvoort and sample the party atmosphere.
Fans can take advantage of the various vantage points down the main straight if they're after speed, courtesy of the Ben Pon, main and pit grandstands. For the real action around there though get yourself a place in the Tarzan-In grandstands to see who brakes latest to pull off the big overtakes into that first turn.
If you're after a good sighting of the banked Arie Luyendyk corner then get yourself a spot in the Ben Pon stand.
There are also two stands down at the hairpin where fans can see the drivers get technical, pull off some moves, and inevitably make contact from time to time.
As the lap comes to a close there are various vantage points with the Arena In, Arena, Arena Out and Eastside stands.
Zandvoort is a coastal resort in the north of Holland with a long sandy beach. Indeed the circuit’s iconic reputation was added to by the fact it was located in the dunes next to the North Sea. Getting to the town is relatively straightforward from the Dutch capital.
Directions from Amsterdam to Zandvoort:
Car: The journey given normal conditions takes around 40 minutes over a distance of around 24km.
Train: From Amsterdam Centraal station to Zandvoort aan Zee with NS trains, taking between 30 and 35 minutes.
Bus: There are two bus services to Zandvoort aan Zee. From Haarlem central, Zandvoort is approximately 30 minutes travel on bus number 81, while the journey time from Amsterdam marnixstraat on the number 80 bus (via Haarlem and Heemstede-Aerdenhout) takes approximately 50 minutes.
Plane: For fans who are flying to the race head for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The circuit is then 24km away.
Circuit Park Zandvoort, Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Ferrari lead the way at Zandvoort with nine race wins (1949, 1952, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1983), while Jim Clark is the most successful driver at this venue having won four times, including a streak of three consecutive victories (1963, 1964, 1965, 1967).
Ford are the most successful engine supplier having provided the power for 10 race wins at the Circuit Zandvoort.
The 1985 Dutch Grand Prix was the final race before its 35-year hiatus and it was the scene of Niki Lauda's 25th and last Grand Prix win in his McLaren.
The three-time World Champion duelled with team-mate Alain Prost for the lead over the last 12 laps of the race. Ultimately Prost fell short by two-tenths of a second.
But as Formula 1 returned in 2021 to mark the start of a new era at this venue, it was the Dutch hero Max Verstappen who took the chequered flag, ensuring that the parties rolled on.
Drivers with most wins
Jim Clark - 4 wins (1963, 1964, 1965, 1967)
Jackie Stewart - 3 wins (1968, 1969, 1973)
Niki Lauda - 3 wins (1974, 1977, 1985)
Max Verstappen - 3 wins (2021, 2022, 2023)
All tied on two race wins - Alberto Ascari (1952, 1953), Jack Brabham (1960, 1966), James Hunt (1975, 1976), Alain Prost (1981, 1984)
Teams with most wins
Ferrari - 9 wins (1949, 1952, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1983)
Lotus - 6 wins (1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1978)
McLaren - 3 wins (1976, 1984, 1985)
Red Bull - 3 wins (2021, 2022, 2023)
All tied on two race wins - Talbot-Lago (1950, 1951), BRM (1959, 1962), Matra (1968,1969), Brabham (1966, 1980)
Last 10 wins
2023 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2022 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2021 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
1985 - Niki Lauda, McLaren
1984 - Alain Prost, McLaren
1983 - Rene Arnoux, Ferrari
1982 - Didier Pironi, Ferrari
1981 - Alain Prost, Renault
1980 - Nelson Piquet, Brabham
1979 - Alan Jones, Williams
1978 - Mario Andretti, Lotus
Lewis Hamilton holds the honour of setting the fastest lap at Zandvoort, pumping in a 1:11.097 on the final lap of the 2021 race in his Mercedes W12.
Max Verstappen naturally was the first driver to test out the redeveloped Zandvoort Circuit ahead of its return to the calendar in 2020, and he spoke of how the banking gave the track a "new dimension".
“I have always found it a super circuit to drive, but the banking definitely adds a new dimension to it,” he said.
“I think you can drive different lines through those banked corners, so that’s a good thing. It has to do with the tyres as well.
“On new tyres you can take a shorter line. But on older tyres, you have to make sure you have a good exit, so you might have to stay a bit higher in that final corner.”
Charles Leclerc: “You cannot do any mistakes around here, otherwise you pay straight away, and these are very often my favourite tracks."
