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Drifting slightly away from the topic of racing and the F1 season opener in Austria, news reports confirm that there has been a fire at Zandvoort. Circuit Park Zandvoort is located in the Netherlands. It was scheduled to host the Dutch Grand Prix in 2020, however, it had to be postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zandvoort was added to the calendar for the first time since 1985! No doubt the Dutch fans would have loved to see Max Verstappen winning in the Red Bull. However, today Zandvoort isn’t in the news for any F1 reasons.

Tire stacks set alight at F1 Dutch Grand Prix site in Zandvoort

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Of all things Dutch fans would have hoped to read about Zandvoort at the start of the year, this wouldn’t have been it. Dutch news site De Limburger reports “There is a thick, black cloud of smoke above the circuit in Zandvoort. A large pile of car tires in a nearby parking lot was set on fire, Tuesday evening. The fire has since been brought under control by the fire brigade.” 

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A spokesman for the circuit said, “A number of young people have burned a number of tire stacks in one of the parking lots on the outside of the circuit.” Luckily, however, Police have the descriptions of the arsonists with them.

Last month it was confirmed that the Dutch Grand Prix would be postponed to next year. Fans should keep hold of their tickets since the organizers have made it valid for next year. Refunds also will be available, confirmed the organizers.

The last time an F1 race took place in Zandvoort (1985), it turned out to be an absolute belter. The 3-time world champion, Niki Lauda beat Alain Prost by just a car’s length. It was Lauda’s last ever F1 win and his only win that season before the legendary Austrian retired. Fans will hope for just as much of an exciting race when F1 returns to Zandvoort next year.

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