Potential Return of Dutch Grand Prix in F1 Hits a Few Bumps

When it was announced that the Dutch Grand Prix would make a return to F1, many were delighted. Unfortunately, it seems that preparations for its triumphant return has hit a snag.

Zandvoort has booked a May 3 berth for 2020 and the race is already easily sold out. This is largely due to Max Verstappen’s immense popularity and his tremendous success on track

Sadly, the race organisers are battling new concerns, and it doe not look pretty for them. First and foremost, the city municipality memorandum revealed that there could be a budget shortfall.

According to GrandPx, there are a number of concerns about the rising nitrogen emissions. This in turn is holding up thousands of construction projects in the Netherlands.

In spite of these setbacks, Netherlands sports minister Bruno Bruins threw his support for the race. This news was gratifying for the Zandvoort F1 circuit CEO Robert van Overdijk.

Unfortunately, the next problem that has cropped up is the number of legal battles piling up. As it turns out, an environmental group submitted documents to a court in Haarlem requesting an injunction against Zandvoort’s necessary construction works.

Furthermore, De Limburger newspaper named another environment protection group. As it turns out, Mobilisation for the Environment, claims that Zandvoort does not possess a valid environmental permit.

To make matters worse, Mobilisation for the Environment partnered several other groups and commenced legal action. They claimed that Zandvoort is located in a protected area surrounded by sand dunes. So, in lieu of that the plans for new grandstands, tunnels and roads cannot go ahead.

“The existing permit is based in quicksand,” a group spokesman told Algemeen Dagblad newspaper. “It is directly derived from an earlier permit which expired in 2006.”

In addition to that, environmental lawyer Sander Lely admitted that the case will definitely cause a lot of delay for the organisers.