The organization of the Dutch Grand Prix is on edge to prevent women from being harassed during and around the Formula 1 race at the Zandvoort circuit, just like last year. Last year, dozens of women reported being treated sexist.
Formula 1 Women, a club for female fans in Formula 1, received reports of women who had been called after, groped and of whom unsolicited photos and videos had been taken.
After last year’s findings, the organization says it has given priority to creating awareness among the many stewards so that they recognize transgressive behavior more quickly, partly thanks to instructional videos. There will also be a hotline for women who feel unsafe and two confidential advisers have been appointed to listen to them. In the communication with visitors prior to the event, it will be made clear that misogynistic behavior will not be tolerated.
Sexist slogans
A special team has spoken on behalf of the organization of the Grand Prix with the women who were harassed last year. That team also visited the GP of Austria to see how things were going there after last year. Then male fans misbehaved on the Red Bull Ring. They whistled at women and treated them with sexist slogans.
“We are happy and proud as the Grand Prix went last year, but we are also shocked by the women’s stories”
All this led to the organization in Austria forbidding fans to bring alcohol to the race this year. Initially, no alcohol should be sold on the circuit itself, but that measure was reversed at the last minute. There was, however, strict control.
No alcohol ban
An alcohol ban in Zandvoort is not under discussion. Jette Leentfaar of the Dutch GP believes that ‘approaching people’ makes a ban on beer superfluous. “We talk to the fans and are amplifying that enormously,” she said last night at an information meeting at the track for people from the area.
Leentfaar: “Remind people of their responsibility to start working. We have taken this very seriously. We are happy and proud as the Grand Prix went last year, but we are also shocked by the women’s stories. we never want again. We optimized the entire organization to stop it.”
No ‘Zandvoordag’ on the circuit
The special day prior to the Grand Prix for people from Zandvoort and the immediate vicinity of the seaside resort will not take place this year. “It does not fit in with the order of work on the circuit,” the organization announced last night. “We cannot guarantee the safety of the bookers and therefore the day will not take place.”
The ‘Zandvoordag’, organized since the return of Formula 1, was popular with the public. Last year, about fifteen thousand people came to take a look.