Report: Big Blow for Max Verstappen as Home Race in Zandvoort Comes Under Cancellation Threat

After a full COVID-stricken season, Formula One is getting repeated reminders that coronavirus is here to stay for a while. A few weeks ago, Canada pulled out of the calendar, with Turkey emerging as its replacement. However, it has now transpired that Turkey is also pulling out of the season because of travel restrictions. Now, there is a chance that the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort could follow suit, to the dismay of Max Verstappen.

According to Robert van Overdijk, Zandvoort circuit head, he would love to celebrate the Dutch GP’s F1 return with full stands. Naturally, the circuit is hard at work to allow fans to return to the track. He admitted that if there is even a chance of a race happening behind closed doors, they may consider canceling the event.

“We want an event with full stands. Obviously, we cannot look at the future in a crystal ball, but fortunately, we are now entering a more positive phase. More and more people are vaccinated,” van Overdijk said.

This will be a bitter blow for Red Bull star Max Verstappen

Admittedly, Max Verstappen has been keenly waiting for a home Grand Prix. The closest he has ever got to having one is the Belgian Grand Prix, being half Belgian on his mother’s side.

However, given that he races under the Dutch flag, he would want to race at Zandvoort, on Dutch soil. Moreover, the track has not been on the F1 calendar in a very long time, and F1 fans, too, would love to see it back.

What makes things worse for motorsports fans is that Formula 1 is not the only racing series visiting the Zandvoort circuit in September; there will also be the supporting Formula 3 and the W Series hoping to host a race weekend. If the event is canceled, all three categories will be forced to find a new venue.

Whatever the fate of the Dutch Grand Prix may be, it is still a long ways away. For now, Max Verstappen would want to focus on defeating his title rival Lewis Hamilton at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, or decreasing the 14 point gap to him, at the very least.

READ MORE: Newly Revamped Zandvoort Circuit Experiences a Massive Crash Ahead of F1 Return