From Jim Clark’s historic dominance to the vertigo-inducing curves of Arie Luyendykbocht, discover the high-stakes legacy and engineering marvels defining Zandvoort’s adrenaline-fueled return to the F1 calendar.
The Dutch Grand Prix is the second leg of the F1 triple-header following the summer break, and here are five facts about this historic circuit. Zandvoort returned to the F1 calendar after a 45-year absence from the pinnacle of motorsport. In recent years, the full force of the "Orange Army"—showing their support for Max Verstappen—has been on display.
Ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix in the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, here are five facts about the race at the Zandvoort circuit.
1. Jim Clark holds the record for most wins
Jim Clark is the driver with the most victories in this GP, with a total of four. The Scotsman won the race three years in a row between 1963 and 1965, and again in 1967. The 1967 victory also marked the debut of the Cosworth DFV V8 engine, which went on to win nine other Dutch Grands Prix with different drivers, the last being in 1980.
Clark made his F1 debut at Zandvoort during the 1960 Dutch Grand Prix. Max Verstappen follows closely with three wins, although he has not won at his home circuit since 2023.
2. Major changes
Zandvoort has undergone various changes since 1939, the year it was first used. Until 1971, the track measured 4.193 kilometers; it was extended to 4.226 km the following year and to 4.252 km in 1980.
Then, in 1990, a new 2.526-kilometer layout was adopted, at a time when the track was used almost exclusively for Formula 3. Subsequently, the longer 4.307 km design was used before the current 4.259 km track was finalized in 2020.
3. Ferrari holds the record
The Ferrari team has secured the most victories in this Grand Prix—a total of 10—between 1952 and 1983. René Arnoux in 1983 was the last Scuderia driver to win in the Netherlands.
4. Accidents and tragedies
Two drivers lost their lives in the 1970s: Piers Courage in 1970 at the "Honderdlak" corner, and the promising Roger Williamson in 1973 at the same turn.
From then on, it remained part of the world championship calendar until the 1980s. It was a circuit where driving skill could make the difference.
5. Extreme challenge
The banking on the final corner is twice as steep as that of the Indianapolis Speedway. The final corner at Zandvoort—which was completely redesigned with steep banking prior to the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix—is named after Arie Luyendyk.
The Dutch driver never competed in Formula 1 but enjoyed considerable success in the US, winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1985 and 1990. With an 18% banking angle, the final Arie Luyendykbocht corner at Zandvoort is twice as steep as the banking at Indianapolis.
