F1 Rumour: 2024 Dutch GP At Risk Despite Ongoing Zandvoort Contract

Uncertainty hangs over the future of the Dutch Grand Prix as rumours suggest it might not make the 2024 Formula 1 calendar, even though Zandvoort, the hosting track, has a valid contract till 2025. This conjecture has been reported by the French-language Belgian newspaper, Le Soir, which is following up on previous whispers about Spa-Francorchamps nearing a fresh race agreement with Liberty Media.

But, as Le Soir explains, Spa's Belgian GP will only get one slot on the annual calendar, alternating each year with Zandvoort. This change could start as soon as the 2024 season, and, if true, the Dutch GP would be missing that year. Le Soir states that Spa will host the race in 2024, with the baton passing to Zandvoort in 2025, and continuing in that manner. The report states:

"The Belgian GP will only take place every other year from 2024. It will alternate with the Netherlands to create a sort of Benelux GP. It's a project that could be emulated in Europe, where it is impossible to compete with the huge monetary offers from the rest of the world."

However, Belgian news agency RTBF presents a differing perspective. RTBF reports that while discussions between F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and interested parties are at an "advanced phase," there's "nothing to suggest that Belgium will alternate with another grand prix."

RTBF's F1 commentator, Gaetan Vigneron, voiced his opinion, saying:

"If Belgium and the Netherlands were forced to alternate in the future, they could consider it. But this is not the case at the moment. To be completely pragmatic, it is better to be present every other year than not at all. But personally, I think that alternating is a bad idea."