Boost for South African Grand Prix hopes as Dutch GP ends

The home grand prix of Formula One’s Dutch world champion Max Verstappen will come to an end in 2026, organisers said on Wednesday.

“We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026,” GP director Robert van Overdijk said in a statement.

‘Going out with a bang’

The Dutch Grand Prix has been held since 2021 in the windswept seaside resort of Zandvoort on the North Sea coast.

Hundreds of thousands of orange-clad Dutch F1 fans cram into the small town to cheer on their hero Verstappen who, until this year, won every race on his home track.

This year’s edition saw a minor speed bump on his drive towards the drivers’ world championship, as he endured a miserable weekend in changeable weather, losing out to McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Van Overdijk told national broadcaster NOS said there were “various options on the table” to continue holding the Dutch GP, as Formula One looks to expand into new markets.

“We could have rotated with other circuits, there was also the possibility to continue annually,” said Van Overdijk.

But in the end, the decision was taken to end the race after the 2026 edition, he said.

“We’re going out with a bang. Of course it also makes us a bit sad, but more than anything else, we’re proud.”

He acknowledged the role that Verstappen – “in my mind the greatest Dutch sporting star ever” – had played in the success of the Grand Prix.

“In 2026, we will close an iconic chapter in Dutch sporting history. Max Verstappen has of course been a big driving force in that,” he said.

“Above all, let’s enjoy the two race weekends we have left.”

The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix will take place from August 29-31.

“I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One.

The last race at Kyalami was in March 1993

The space on the calendar from 2027 onwards will no doubt revive hopes of South Africa being added to the calendar.

Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie has been pushing hard for the South African Grand Prix to return to the circuit, meeting as recently as last weekend in Qatar with all the key F1 decision makers.

The last grand prix in Mzansi was the 1993 South African Grand Prix which was held at Kyalami on 14 March 1993.

It was the 33rd South African Grand Prix – and remains the most recent to have been staged on the African continent.

The race was the first of the 1993 F1 season and was contested over 72 laps and was won from pole position by French legend Alain Prost driving a Williams-Renault.

2025 Formula One calendar

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, Formula One will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year with another 24-race marathon calendar.

March 16 – Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

March 23 – Chinese Grsand Prix, Shanghai

April 6 – Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

April 13 – Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir

April 20 – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah

May 4 – Miami Grand Prix

May 18 – Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Imola

May 25 – Monaco Grand Prix

June 1 – Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona

June 15 – Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal

June 29 – Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg

July 6 – British Grand Prix, Silverstone

July 27 – Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps

August 3 – Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring

August 31 – Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort

September 7 – Italian Grand Prix, Monza

September 21 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku

October 5 – Singapore Grand Prix

October 19 – United States Grand Prix, Circuit of Americas

October 26 – Mexico Grand Prix

November 9 – Brazil Grand Prix, Sao Paulo

November 22 – Las Vegas Grand Prix

November 30 – Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail

December 7 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit

Do you believe South Africa will ever host another Grand Prix?

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