Zandvoort to Possess an Indianapolis-Like Banking on its Final Turn Ahead of F1 Return

With Zandvoort joining the Formula One calendar in 2020, preparations are now in full swing. All this is happening, in spite of some resistance from environmental groups. Now, the F1 circuit authorities have revealed that the banking at its final corner will similar to an American oval.

It is also worth noting that, this particular banking is claimed to be twice as steep as turns at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These comments have come in the wake of a massive circuit revamp to bring it up to speed with the current grand prix circuit standards.

The Circuit Zandvoort has confirmed the banking will be angled at 32%, which is said to be around 18 degrees. Putting this into perspective of the IMS, the American circuit’s banking is at approximately nine degrees.

To that end, Zandvoort CEO Robert van Overdijk told BNR Niewsradio: “That corner will for sure be the most spectacular part of our renewed circuit.”

“The corner will be banked 32%. So the difference in height from the bottom of the corner to the top will be around four and a half metres. That’s considerable.”

“We are in fact making an American corner on an otherwise European circuit. That is absolutely unique.”

However, it is interesting that Zandvoort does not possess as many famous banked turns, like the old Monza layout and Daytona. The banking on those two circuits is said to be far higher than Indianapolis or Zandvoort itself

However, the final corner will not be the only banked turn at Zandvoort, also getting the same treatment is the Hugenholtz corner. The basic idea is that it can allow cars to race each other side-by-side and promote some more action.

“The third corner [Hugenholtz] of the track will be banked as well for the F1 race,” added van Overdijk.

“It will be made parabolic, so that two cars can get through the corner next to each other and more importantly at the same speed.

“The banking will vary between 8% and 18% for that purpose. Of course Zandvoort has a big name historically.”

“But if you want to keep the track exactly as it was, you really start from the idea that everything used to be better in the good old days. And of course that is not the truth. So I am not worried about that.”