Dutch Grand Prix

I had little idea what to expect when I rolled up for my first Dutch GP at Zandvoort last year but I left impressed. Impressed by the track and the surrounds but more so by the Dutch fans. They were on par with the most enthusiastic and passionate fans I’ve seen and rivalled the boisterous Italian Tifosi.

Zandvoort is a small town on the coast, 43 kilometres from Amsterdam.

Public transport is the best option for spectators to access the track as the roads into the town are blocked to all but official F1 traffic over the event.

There are few quality hotels in the town, the closest and largest being Hotel NH which is at the main entrance to the track: it’s where many of the drivers and a number of teams stay. There are numerous hotels near the airport which is closer to the track than Amsterdam and with a media parking pass, I was able to get to the track in pretty good time.

If you’re staying in Amsterdam you’ll love the social scene. If it’s your first time in the city, the bicycle parking stations will amaze you and of course the red light area draws plenty of punters.

The track also boasts the longest distance between the hospitality paddock and the garages (200metres) which allows those in the grandstand on the other side of the track the chance to see the drivers heading to and from the garages.

I am a big fan of this race. See you there.