Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 World Champion, has firmly established himself as a legendary figure in Dutch sports. His remarkable achievements have brought immense attention to the Dutch Grand Prix, which returned to the F1 calendar in 2021, particularly due to Max Verstappen’s dominance.
However, Dutch Grand Prix director Robert Van Overdijk has revealed that despite F1’s desire to keep the event on the calendar, they have decided not to extend it beyond 2026.
“There were several options to continue the race. We could rotate with other circuits or hold it annually,” Van Overdijk told NOS. “After extensive evaluation, this was the decision we reached.”
“This was ultimately our choice. Perhaps F1’s top executives were surprised, but they definitely respect and understand our decision,” he continued.
Van Overdijk emphasized that 2026 would mark the end of a historic era for Dutch sport, largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s contribution. “Max Verstappen is one of the main reasons for this. In my opinion, he is the greatest Dutch sporting hero of all time,” he said.
Photographer: Simon Galloway
With Max Verstappen firmly placed as one of F1’s most successful drivers, the Dutch GP faces the uncertainty of whether the “enthusiasm” of the Dutch fans will remain high in the coming years. Van Overdijk stated, “Max now has four world titles and has won three times at Zandvoort. Of course, you might expect the enthusiasm of the Dutch fans to wane, but that doesn’t align with our approach.”
Verstappen, who is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, recently expressed his desire to continue his career there. However, with the new regulations for chassis and power units in 2026, rumors have begun linking the Dutch driver with teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin.
Van Overdijk explained that committing to the Dutch GP until 2028 would make them dependent on Max Verstappen’s future, which they felt was not a suitable path. “Things could change. Maybe Verstappen will be with another team in 2026, and in that case, the final Dutch GP would be even more special,” he added.
The 2026 Dutch GP will also mark the first and likely the last time the F1 sprint format will be used in the event.
