When asked to characterize the Zandvoort circuit that many of them battled in their junior category days, the current generation of F1 drivers used terms like'really quick,' 'quite mad,' 'crazy,' and 'old-school.' We'd add 'undulating' to that list as well. The Zandvoort circuit swoops and flows across the sand dunes, giving the lap a rollercoaster atmosphere. While the circuit was updated in readiness for F1's most recent comeback, including raising the banking angle at the renowned Tarzan curve to a whopping 18 degrees, Zandvoort remains a true, tough drivers' track.
We recommend going to Tarzan's first turn or one of the banked corners, such as Arie Luyendijkbocht - the track's last turn – or Hugenholtzbocht. The latter sector was expanded and banked into a parabolic bend for F1's return in 2021, allowing vehicles to run side by side and at the same speed through it. To say it's exciting is an understatement...
For an F1 lover, Zandvoort has a lot of appealing elements. There's the historic circuit, which made its debut in John Frankenheimer's Grand Prix and has hosted a slew of memorable F1 events (Gilles Villeneuve's three-wheeled lap, anyone?). There's also the atmosphere, which is always certain to be electric and orange-hued when Max Verstappen is on the grid. Then there's the beachfront setting, which is only a 30-minute train journey from Amsterdam. What's not to like about that?