What scrapping of Dutch Grand Prix tells us about Max Verstappen’s future

Formula One has confirmed that the Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar after the 2026 race.

In a development that will come as a blow to Max Verstappen’s Orange Army, who have packed out the Zandvoort circuit for the last few years, organisers decided against taking up the option of a longer-term contract.

Stefano Domenicali, F1’s president and CEO, said: “I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years.

“They raised the bar for European Grands Prix in terms of event spectacle and entertainment, supported the development of young talent by hosting F2, F3 and our F1 Academy series, and have also pioneered Page 2 of 3 sustainable solutions that have inspired our events around the world as we drive towards being Net Zero by 2030.

“All parties positively collaborated to find a solution to extend the race, with many options, including alternation or annual events on the table, and we respect the decision from the promoter to finish its amazing run in 2026.”

Robert van Overdijk, director of the Dutch Grand Prix, explained that as a “privately owned and operated business” his job was to continually “balance the opportunities presented by continuing to host the event, against other risks and responsibilities”.

He added, in an interview with NOS: “There were several options on the table to continue. We could rotate with other circuits, there were also options to continue annually.

“We made a lot of considerations and this is the outcome.

“In the end, it is only our choice. Maybe the F1 top brass is surprised, but they certainly respect and understand us. They know how we have to work. We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026.”

Decision rings alarm bells for Verstappen’s future

Zandvoort’s decision not to extend its contract beyond 2026 caught many off guard. Formula One is booming. Max Verstappen is booming. Why voluntarily give up a race which attracts more than 300,000 fans each year, packing out the sand dunes of the North Sea coast in a festival-like atmosphere, the vast majority of whom are there for one man and one man only? Do they know something we do not?

Verstappen, who has won three of the four Dutch grands prix held since the event returned to the calendar, has mentioned more than once his desire to quit F1 before he becomes old and stale. Is he going to retire in 2026? What does it say that even his own home race is pulling the plug?

Naturally, it did not take long for conspiracy theories to take hold on social media. But the truth is there is no way Robert van Overdijk, the event’s director, who was in the paddock in Qatar last weekend, would know the answer to that question. Verstappen himself does not know. If the 27-year-old carries on winning, and he is enjoying himself, why would he stop now?

That said, uncertainty over his future may have been enough to convince Van Overdijk to call time. Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 and has spoken about wanting to see out his career with the team. But as the new chassis and power unit regulations loom for F1 2026, there is no certainty that Red Bull will maintain its position at the head of the field, and he has also spoken about a personal desire to give back time to his family for the sacrifices they made in prioritising his career. Already, the Dutch driver has been linked with the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin.

In his interview with NOS, Van Overdijk admitted one of the reasons that extending until the end of 2028 was not appealing was because the event would start making itself “completely dependent on what Max is going to do”.

Making the numbers add up – even with a four-time world champion to help shift tickets – is no easy feat in this day and age, not when you are competing with events from Las Vegas to Qatar. The calendar is already at a record 24 races and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has spoken of some European races alternating to allow new ones to come in.

It might seem perverse, but you can understand this decision, albeit it does feel as if it foreshadows the end of the Max era just when his star is at its highest.

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