Dutch Grand Prix facts for kids
The Dutch Grand Prix (which means "Grand Prix of the Netherlands" in Dutch) is a super exciting Formula One car race held every year. It takes place at the Circuit Zandvoort in North Holland, Netherlands. The race was held from 1950 to 1985, then took a long break for 35 years, and came back in 2021.
This race has been a part of the official Formula One World Championship since 1952. Twice, in 1962 and 1976, it was even called the European Grand Prix. This was a special title given to one important race in Europe each year.
| Circuit Zandvoort (intermittently; 1950–1985, 2021–present) |
|
|
.
|
|
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 35 |
| First held | 1950 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Jim Clark (4) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Ferrari (8) |
| Circuit length | 4.259 km (2.646 mi) |
| Race length | 306.587 km (190.504 mi) |
| Laps | 72 |
| Last race (2023) | |
| Pole position | |
|
|
| Podium | |
|
|
| Fastest lap | |
|
|
History of the Dutch Grand Prix
The Original Zandvoort Circuit
The town of Zandvoort is on the coast of the North Sea in the Netherlands. In the 1930s, there were small races on the town's streets. During World War II, a straight road was built through the sand dunes by the Germans. This road was later connected to other roads.
After the war, some of these roads were made wider and linked together. This created a racing circuit! The first race happened in 1950. The races in 1950 and 1951 were not part of the official Formula One Championship. Louis Rosier won both of these early races.
In 1952, the Dutch Grand Prix became part of the Formula One World Championship. Italian driver Alberto Ascari won in both 1952 and 1953. The race wasn't held in 1954 because there wasn't enough money. In 1955, Mercedes-Benz cars were very strong. Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio and British driver Stirling Moss were the top drivers. Moss stayed very close behind Fangio the whole race. The races in 1956 and 1957 were also cancelled due to money problems.
The 1958 Dutch Grand Prix was won by Stirling Moss. In 1959, Swedish driver Jo Bonnier won his only Formula One championship race. A sad accident happened in 1960 when Dan Gurney crashed and a spectator was hurt. Jack Brabham won that race.
From 1963 to 1965, British driver Jim Clark won three races in a row. In 1967, a new car called the Lotus 49 was introduced. It had a powerful new Ford-Cosworth DFV engine. This engine won its first race with Clark driving. It became a very successful engine used by many teams until 1985.
The 1970 race saw the Lotus 72, a newer car, win easily with Jochen Rindt driving. However, a very sad event happened during this race. British driver Piers Courage had a serious crash where his car caught fire. Sadly, he passed away. This tragedy highlighted the need for better safety in racing. In 1971, Jacky Ickx won in a Ferrari in rainy conditions. The race was not held in 1972 because the drivers felt the track and its facilities were not safe enough for Grand Prix racing at that time.
The Redeveloped Circuit and Later Years
Because of safety concerns, the Zandvoort circuit was changed a lot before the 1973 race. Safety barriers called Armco were put up to protect cars from the sand dunes. New pit areas were built, and a chicane (a tricky set of turns) was added before a very fast corner called Bosuit. Everyone was excited for the 1973 race because of all the improvements.
But sadly, another tragedy happened. On the eighth lap, British driver Roger Williamson crashed and his car caught fire. His friend, David Purley, bravely stopped his own car and ran to help. Purley tried very hard to turn Williamson's car upright and pull him out, but he couldn't do it alone. The track marshals, who were not wearing fireproof suits, couldn't help because of the intense heat. Race control thought it was Purley's car that had crashed and that he was safe. Many drivers didn't realize another car was involved. The race continued while Purley desperately tried to save Williamson. Sadly, Williamson died because he couldn't breathe in the smoke. This terrible event showed how important it was to have better trained marshals and clearer communication during races. Purley later received a special award for his bravery. Jackie Stewart won the race, but no one felt like celebrating. This event led to major improvements in safety rules and procedures in Formula One.
In 1974, the Ferrari team was strong, and Austrian driver Niki Lauda won. In 1975, British driver James Hunt won his first Formula One race. Hunt won again in 1976. The 1977 race is remembered for an incident between Hunt and American driver Mario Andretti. They touched cars and both had to leave the race. Andretti won the 1978, which was his last Formula One victory.
In 1979, the circuit was changed again to slow cars down before Tunnel Oost. Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve had a famous moment when he crashed there but refused to give up. He drove his damaged Ferrari back to the pits, showing amazing car control, even though he had to retire from the race. Alan Jones won that Grand Prix.
The 1985 was the last race held at Zandvoort for a long time. Niki Lauda won his 25th and final Grand Prix victory, holding off his teammate Alain Prost. After this, the company that ran the circuit went out of business. Part of the track was sold, and the circuit was not used for Formula One for many years. It was later redesigned and is still used for other types of motorsport.
The Return of the Dutch Grand Prix (2021–Present)
On May 14, 2019, it was announced that the Dutch Grand Prix would return to the Zandvoort track for the 2020 Formula One season! However, the return was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The race was cancelled for 2020, but it finally came back in 2021.
In 2021, the home favorite, Dutch driver Max Verstappen, won the race! He also won in 2022 and 2023. The Dutch Grand Prix is planned to be held at Zandvoort until at least 2025.
Winners of the Dutch Grand Prix
Drivers with Multiple Wins
A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Driver | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jim Clark |
1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 |
| 3 | Jackie Stewart |
1968, 1969, 1973 |
 Niki Lauda |
1974, 1977, 1985 | |
 Max Verstappen |
2021, 2022, 2023 | |
| 2 |  Louis Rosier |
1950, 1951 |
| Alberto Ascari |
1952, 1953 | |
 Jack Brabham |
1960, 1966 | |
| James Hunt |
1975, 1976 | |
 Alain Prost |
1981, 1984 | |
| Source: | ||
Constructors with Multiple Wins
A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
Teams in bold are racing in Formula One this season.
| Wins | Constructor | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Ferrari |
1952, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1983 |
| 6 | Lotus |
1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1978 |
| 3 | McLaren |
1976, 1984, 1985 |
| Red Bull |
2021, 2022, 2023 | |
| 2 | Talbot-Lago |
1950, 1951 |
| BRM |
1959, 1962 | |
| Matra |
1968, 1969 | |
| Brabham |
1966, 1980 | |
| Source: | ||
Engine Manufacturers with Multiple Wins
A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
Manufacturers in bold are racing in Formula One this season.
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 10 |  Ford * |
1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980 |
| 8 | Ferrari |
1952, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1983 |
| 4 | Climax |
1960, 1963, 1964, 1965 |
| 2 | Talbot-Lago |
1950, 1951 |
| BRM |
1959, 1962 | |
 TAG ** |
1984, 1985 | |
| Source: | ||
* Designed and built by Cosworth, funded by Ford
** Built by Porsche
Winners by Year
All Dutch Grands Prix have been held at Zandvoort.
- A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
Images for kids
-
Zandvoort track layout from 1948 to 1971
-
Zandvoort track layout from 1973 to 1979
-
Zandvoort track layout from 1980 to 1985
See also
In Spanish: Gran Premio de los Países Bajos para niños
