Zandvoort circuit – a legend in the dunes

The name of Zandvoort reminds of two things: the beach and the race track. Zandvoort circuit is unique unto itself, being located in the dunes.

A legendary and internationally famous motorsport race track with a history going back more than 70 years. No run-off areas and many fast turns - this is what makes it very special. As René Rast would say: "It's a man's circuit.”

The first street race was held on June 3, 1939. However, a permanent race track was not constructed until after the World War II. The circuit was inaugurated on August 7, 1948 and in 1950 the race became the "Grote Prijs van Nederland" or Dutch Grand Prix. 1955 saw the first proper Formula One race counting for the World Championship.

After 2 more years without a race, the Dutch Grand Prix was back on the World Championship(s) calendar in 1958, and from then on remained a permanent fixture (with the exception of 1972) until 1985, when it was held for the last time. 34 Grand Prix have been run on the dune circuit. Big names like Alain Prost, Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda have won this famous race. During the 1973 GP, British driver Roger Williamson crashed exiting the fast 'Hondenvlak'. A flat tire caused him to hit the guard rail, and his car was launched into the air and rolled over. The tank was ruptured and the fuel caught fire, which cost Williamson his life.

Circuit Zandvoort is only 75 meters away from the sea front. Located in the dunes area, north of the little beach town Zandvoort, Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line, the circuit is rather undulating and features many elevation changes. The corners are of many different cambers and angles. Particularly the notorious ‘Scheivlak’ corner, which goes up and down and to the right, all at the same time. The ‘Tarzan’ hairpin at the end of the straight still is one of the most famous corners in motor racing today.

Photo gallery

The Ferrari transporter arrives with the Dino 246 cars of Phil Hill, Wolfgang von Trips and Richie Ginther at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 06 June 1960. Photo by LAT Images.

Jim Clark at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 06 June 1960. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Marianne Bonnier, wife of Jo Bonnier, Cooper, charts her husband's lap times from the pits at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 23 June 1963. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

New post office with self-service department opened in Zandvoort on 12 June 1964. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Jim Clark, Lotus 33, winning again at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 18 July 1965. Photo by Klemantaski Collection / Getty Images.

John Surtees, Ferrari 1512, during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 18 July 1965. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Lorenzo Bandini, Ferrari 158, 9th position, spins at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 18 July 1965. Photo by LAT Images.

Nice weather at Zandvoort, terraces crowded, on 31 July 1965. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Jim Clark's Lotus 49 Ford during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 04 June 1967. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Jim Clark during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 04 June 1967. Photo by Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.

Graham Hill in his Lotus Ford during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 04 June 1967. Photo by Blick / RDB / Ullstein Bild via Getty Images.

Mechanics retrieve Jean-Pierre Beltoise's Matra MS11 from the transporter during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 23 June 1968. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

A lady with a stopwatch taking the lap times in the pits during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 23 June 1968. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Jacky Ickx, Ferrari 312, rejoins the track after a spin during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on June 23, 1968. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Cars parked in the paddock showing early Durex sponsorship during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 21 June 1969. Photo by LAT Images.

Jacky Ickx, Brabham BT26A Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 21 June 1969. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

The Lotus Cosworth 49B of Jochen Rindt stands forlorn in the long Zandvoort grass after suffering driveshaft failure during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 21 June 1969. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Nina Rindt and Sally Courage at Zandvoort in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.

Sally Courage reading a novel during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 21 June 1970. Courage's husband, racing driver Piers Courage, died later that day in a crash. Photo by Blackman / Daily Express / Hulton Archive / Getty Images.

Timekeepers during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 21 June 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Timekeepers during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 21 June 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Girls in Zandvoort, Holland, in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.

Timekeepers in Zandvoort, Holland, in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.

Rob Walker's wife Betty keeps the times above the pits at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch.

Bette Hill keeps her husband's times whilst he passes her in pit lane during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on June 21, 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

François Cevert, March 701 Ford, in the pits during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 21 June 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Matra MS120, during the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 21 June 1970. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Mario Andretti during the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell 003 Ford, in the pit lane during the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari 312B2, during the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Ferrari 312B2 steering wheel at the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Jacky Ickx, Ferrari 312B2, exits the pit lane during the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell 003 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Winner Jacky Ickx, Ferrari 312B2, on the podium with wife Catherine after the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Jackie Ickx celebrating his victory after the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rolls Press / Popperfoto via Getty Images.

Race winner Jacky Ickx on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

A crowd gathers to see race winner Jacky Ickx on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday June 20, 1971. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Autumn sun on Zandvoort beach, people in beach chairs, on 22 September 1971. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

An impressive collection of motorbikes used by spectators to get to the Zandvoort circuit for the Dutch Grand Prix on 29 July 1973. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

A mobile delicatessen provides a range of snacks for those on the Zandvoort beach, next to the circuit, on 29 July 1973. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Helen Stewart, wife of Jackie Stewart, at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 29 July 1973. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

A Hesketh liveried Ford Galaxie and transporter for the team at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 29 July 1973. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Lord Hesketh and Charlie Crichton-Stuart at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 29 July 1973. Photo by Bernard Cahier / Getty Images.

Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell 006 Ford, leads François Cevert, Tyrrell 006 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 29 July 1973. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Nice weather on the beach at Zandvoort on 15 August 1974. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Spectators relax behind the Goodyear hospitality tent at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Niki Lauda's girlfriend Mariella Reininghaus at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo Getty Images.

A pile of Goodyear tyre hubs in the paddock at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Lotus mechanics prepare the Lotus 72E Ford cars of Ronnie Peterson, Jacky Ickx and a spare car during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Denny Hulme, McLaren M23 Ford, in the pit lane during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Arturo Merzario, Williams FW02 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Niki Lauda, Ferrari 312B3, 1st position at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by LAT Images.

Niki Lauda, 1st position, Clay Regazzoni, 2nd position and Emerson Fittipaldi, 3rd position, celebrate on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo Getty Images.

Niki Lauda, 1st position, Clay Regazzoni, 2nd position and Emerson Fittipaldi, 3rd position, celebrate on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 June 1974. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Sunbathing people on the beach in Zandvoort on 20 April 1975. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

A food vendor arrives in the paddock at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Team transporters parked up in the paddock at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

A woman in the paddock at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Mimicha Reutemann, wife of Carlos Reutemann, at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Third placed Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari, talks with Mariella Reininghaus, the fiancee of Niki Lauda, Ferrari, at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

The Hesketh team transporter with awning attached at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Mechanics working on a Ferrari 312T under the awning at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

The crowd pour into the circuit before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Carlos Pace sheltering under an umbrella while speaking to a team member at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Raner Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Vittorio Brambilla, March 751 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Jody Scheckter, Tyrrell 007, who started fourth on the grid, made a great start to lead the race in the wet conditions. However he dropped from third to sixteenth and last position when he blew his engine on the sixty-eighth lap of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

A Hesketh mechanic holds out the pit board from the pit wall for James Hunt, who went on to take his and Hesketh's first Grand Prix victory at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

A mechanic hangs out a pitboard during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Jochen Mass, McLaren M23 Ford, in the pits during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Crowds watch as Jody Scheckter’s Tyrrell 007 Ford passes by a bank of fans during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

James Hunt, Hesketh Ford, 1st position, Niki Lauda, Ferrari, 2nd position and Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari, 3rd position on the podium of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by LAT Images.

James Hunt, Hesketh Ford, 1st position, Niki Lauda, Ferrari, 2nd position and Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari, 3rd position on the podium of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

James Hunt celebrates his victory of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

James Hunt enjoying the thrills of his first ever Grand Prix win after the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, Holland, on 22 June 1975. Photo by Bernard Cahier / Getty Images.

Queue of people waiting on a platform of Central Station for the train to Zandvoort on 04 August 1975. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Crowds on Zandvoort beach on June 07, 1976. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Jochen Mass during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Ninth placed Jochen Mass, McLaren, with his partner during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Hans-Joachim Stuck during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Seventh placed Patrick Depailler, Tyrrell, sits on the pit wall barrier with his wife Michelle Depailler during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Jody Scheckter, Tyrrell, with wife Pam Scheckter (with cap) during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

The Alfa Romeo engine of a Brabham BT45 at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Bernard Cahier / Getty Images.

The new McLaren M26 of Jochen Mass sits in the catch fencing after an off during practice. Jochen went on to finish the new car in ninth position in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Jochen Mass on the drivers' parade during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Mechanics hover around Jochen Mass, McLaren M26 Ford, in the pits during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

The Lotus and Tyrrell team mechanics change tyres alongside each other. Ken Tyrrell stands in front of Jody Scheckter, Tyrrell Ford P34, while Peter Warr holds the brakes board for Mario Andretti, Lotus 77 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Mechanics check Clay Regazzoni's Ferrari 312T2 in the pits during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari 312T2, was the sole Ferrari representative after missing the previous Grand Prix and finished in second position in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren M23, talks with Teddy Mayer, McLaren Team owner, via a wired link-up in the pits during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Jody Scheckter, Tyrrell P34, finished in fifth position in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Carlos Reutemann, Brabham BT45, retired from the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on lap 12 with a broken clutch on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

The McLaren team hold out a pit board for race winner James Hunt during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

James Hunt, McLaren M23 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch / Getty Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Bernard Cahier / Getty Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium with Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari 312T2, 2nd position and Mario Andretti, Lotus 77-Ford, 3rd position, after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium with Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari 312T2, 2nd position and Mario Andretti, Lotus 77-Ford, 3rd position, after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by LAT Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium with Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari 312T2, 2nd position and Mario Andretti, Lotus 77-Ford, 3rd position, after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium with Clay Regazzoni, Ferrari 312T2, 2nd position and Mario Andretti, Lotus 77-Ford, 3rd position, after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, acknowledged the efforts of sole Ferrari representative Clay Regazzoni after Clay closed to within a second of James to take second position in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Race winner James Hunt, McLaren, celebrates on the podium after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 29 August 1976. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Opening Casino at Zandvoort on October 01, 1976. Photo by Sepia Times / Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

The grid girls holding signs showing where the drivers are to line up on the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 28 August 1977. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

Mechanics check tyre pressures as James Hunt waits in the pits in his McLaren M26 Ford. Alastair Caldwell and Gary Anderson can be seen on the left of the picture during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 28 August 1977. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Vittorio Brambilla, Surtees TS19 Ford, during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 28 August 1977. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

The Ferrari team celebrate from the pit wall as Niki Lauda takes victory in the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 28 August 1977. Photo by David Phipps / Sutton Images.

Jody Scheckter, 3rd position, Niki Lauda, 1st position and Jacques Laffite, 2nd position, on the podium of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 28 August 1977. Photo by Ercole Colombo / Studio Colombo / Getty Images.

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