Quadruple world champion Max Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar after 2026, Formula One announced on Wednesday.
A one-year extension has been agreed with the local promoter for 2026, with the race at Zandvoort to be held in the sprint format for the first time, the Liberty Media-owned sport said in a statement.
The seaside race at an ‘old school’ circuit has become a raucous sold-out party for Verstappen’s Orange Army of fans accustomed to cheering the Red Bull driver on to yet another victory, Reuters reported.
Verstappen, who secured his fourth successive title in Las Vegas last month, was beaten into second place at Zandvoort this year by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
That was the first time since the race returned to the calendar in 2021, after a 36-year absence, that Verstappen had not triumphed at Zandvoort.
Dutch Grand Prix director Robert van Overdijk said the race had been a huge success.
The Formula One calendar is already at a record 24 races and Domenicali has spoken of some European races alternating to allow others to come in.
Formula One is keen to include an African round while both Germany and France are currently absent. The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, and Imola in Italy are all seen as candidates for rotation from 2026.
