There are opportunities to bring Formula 1 to Assen. That is what Hanneke Bruggeman of the Grand Prix Business Club Assen and Kees Vianen of the Asser VVD believe. But will Max Verstappen really be driving laps on the TT Circuit? According to Frank Woestenburg, editorial director at Formula 1 Magazine, the chance is not as great as the people of Assen argue.
Last week it was announced that the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort will disappear from the F1 calendar in 2026. The annual racing festival is not only a hassle, but also a possible financial burden for the organization. That organization pays for the event out of its own pocket, and that entails major risks. To prevent the Dutch Grand Prix from going under, the organization is pulling the plug itself.
“I think this is now a very good opportunity for Assen,” says Bruggeman in RTV Drenthe program Cassata. Shortly after it became known that Zandvoort was throwing in the towel, Bruggeman and associates restarted the Business Club’s X account. “We went full throttle. We were dormant and we came back to life on Wednesday.”
The Business Club had a large number of members five years ago, but after the arrival of F1 in Zandvoort, the number of members fell. Bruggeman hopes for renewed energy and new members to stand on the barricade for the TT-F1.
In any case, the club receives support from the VVD faction in the Provincial Council. If it were up to party chairman Kees Vianen, Assen would re-enter the race to retain F1 for the Netherlands. “This definitely offers opportunities,” he says. “We were able to see what a fantastic event was organized in Zandvoort. It would be a shame that such an event would no longer be held in the Netherlands.”
His party therefore immediately asked questions to the Provincial Executive on Wednesday. “We want to bring more events to Drenthe. That is why we have asked the council if they also see the opportunities. We actually expect answers next week. Then we can continue with it,” Vianen sounds hopeful.
F1 expert Frank Woestenburg is less hopeful. “I find the enthusiasm infectious and charming, but at the same time a bit naive,” he says while calling Cassata. “The momentum was perhaps six years ago when they were competing for a place on the calendar together with Zandvoort. The calendar is now overcrowded. There are 24 races on it and Formula 1 thinks that is enough. There are many countries that have a want a place on the calendar and Formula 1 wants to go to many countries. For example, they have indicated that they do not want any races there yet.”
Woestenburg therefore thinks that it will be ‘extremely difficult’ for Assen to get a place on that calendar. “I believe they can do it in Assen. The facilities are there and the adjustments to the circuit can be done in a winter, but I think it will take more to get a place on the calendar,” he says.
Is an exchange deal with the F1 organization not an option? Zandvoort out, Assen in? Woestenburg: “Formula 1 believes that Europe is already too represented. This actually suits them well. Europe has to give up sooner than an additional race can be added. Partly it is about the money. Everything is for sale, but it’s also about the global image of F1. They want to be represented everywhere.
Yet Woestenburg does not want to discourage enthusiasts in Assen and the surrounding area. “They don’t have to stop the wild noise, but it is wise to be patient. It might be useful to start with a long-term lobby. In Formula 1, they mainly know Assen as a motorcycle circuit. They still know the people Not. It’s about networking. Doing warm-up laps, so to speak.”
“It will be something of a long haul. In any case, F1 will not come to Assen within five years,” says the F1 editorial director.