Zandvoort has always been one of the trickiest tracks in F1’s history. It has also been pretty dangerous, where the early phases of the sport have also witnessed fatal accidents here. In reality, this was one of the reasons why Bernie Ecclestone snipped the Netherlands off the F1 calendar in 1986. Surprisingly, after all these years, nothing much has changed. Last year, Ricciardo fractured his wrist; this year, Sargeant’s car caught fire after hitting the barriers. At the Dutch GP, a scary incident occurred hours before FP3, in addition to Sargeant’s crash.

Grand Prix races feature various side events to keep the audience entertained, beyond just speeding cars and racing. Of course, they followed the same ritual in Zandvoort. The fans enjoyed a busy weekend with fan zone meets, games, music events, and more. The organizers set up an FMX performance to entertain the crowd. With popular stunt rider Honza Kabát scheduled to perform before the last practice session.

Just a day before Lando Norris took the crown at Zandvoort, Honza Kabát crashed when he lost control of his bike while attempting a trick. He let go of his handlebars mid-flip but couldn’t grab them again, flying over his bike and hitting the ramp. Rolling on the tarmac and lying unconscious, the daredevil spread silence across the circuit as concerns grappled the audience. Sharing his experience, the FMX stunt rider said: “I feel like I’ve been run over by a train,” Kabat told R&T. “The wind was very strong, and the road was wet; these are the two factors that caused my fall; I was unconscious for more than 4 hours; I don’t remember anything at all.”

A fan recorded the video of Kabat missing the landing. Soon, medics rushed to the scene and set a privacy screen as the rider was being treated, He was then taken to the nearby hospital, and transported into an ambulance. Reports say that the stunt rider was unconscious for nearly four hours. Luckily, Honza Kabat emerged safe from the fatal accident. However, Zandvoort’s scary incidents strangely keep repeating themselves.

The Dutch GP in Zandvoort has a record of deadly accidents that even took the lives of racers

Zandvoort crowned a new champion this year in Lando Norris, but the victory couldn’t overshadow the circuit’s dark reputation as one of the most dangerous tracks in motorsport history. Despite improvements over the years, the treacherous layout and tricky corners of Zandvoort continue to challenge even the most skilled drivers, proving that its danger isn’t just a thing of the past.

In the 1970s, Zandvoort was infamous for its tragic accidents, with the circuit becoming a graveyard for some of the sport’s brightest talents. Piers Courage was the first to meet a grim fate, crashing his De Tomaso at the fast Tunnel Oost corner after his steering or front suspension allegedly failed. His car veered into a dune and burst into flames, but it was a loose wheel striking him that ultimately cost him his life. The Tunnel Oost corner claimed another life when Roger Williamson’s car flipped, trapping him in a burning wreck. Unable to escape, Williamson tragically perished amidst the flames.

Even in recent years, Zandvoort has continued to live up to its deadly reputation. Last season, Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo narrowly avoided a horrific accident, but Ricciardo’s wrist injury ended his race weekend. Logan Sargeant also had a close call, emerging safely from his burning FW46. Though advances in safety have reduced fatal accidents, the track’s danger remains evident.

The latest incident, involving Honza Kabat just before Norris’s win, serves as a stark reminder of the circuit’s unforgiving character. Despite improvements in safety, tragedies and losses continue to mark Zandvoort’s history, casting a shadow over even the brightest victories.