Zandvoort able to retain its racing permit

Circuit Zandvoort will not have its permit for racing revoked a judge has ruled, securing the future of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Several environmental groups had expressed concern, believing that the emissions released due to the activity at the venue is harming the sand dunes and protected nature where the circuit is located.

Dutch group Mobilisation for the Environment would take these concerns to the courtroom, presenting the risk that Zandvoort could lose its permit to hold racing events, including the Dutch Grand Prix.

However, a judge has ruled that Zandvoort’s permit does not result in “more nitrogen deposition”, so the permit stands.

“The permit does not lead to more nitrogen deposition,” ruled the court, quoted by De Telegraaf.

“The Provincial Executive of Noord-Holland (GS) was allowed to grant the permit to the circuit in Zandvoort.

“The court finds that in the old situation, the circuit site could be used all year round for car and motorsport activities and other major events, including Formula 1. In the permit granted, the use of the circuit site is limited to 28 days a year. An emission ceiling is also included in the permit. This was not the case in the old situation.

“The court therefore comes to the conclusion that the nitrogen deposition and emissions from the permit granted will always be less than was permitted in the old situation. Since the permit granted does not lead to more nitrogen deposition, it is excluded that the use and execution of work on the circuit site has a significant impact on the nearby Natura 2000 site.”

Reacting to the ruling, Robert van Overdijk, circuit director at Zandvoort, said: “This was the 35th legal procedure we have conducted for a permit or an application, and we have been proven right for the 35th time.

“It is a pity that we have appeared in court so many times for such a beautiful event, but as far as we are concerned it is now clear that we have done everything carefully.

“In all those procedures, our permits were looked at from at least twenty different angles and each time they stood up. That shows that we have done everything carefully and the court has confirmed that again.”

Formula 1 will return to Zandvoort for the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, held from September 2-4, serving as Round 15 of the season.

Max Verstappen claimed a dominant victory in front of his home fans as the event returned in 2021, one year later than originally planned.