Trackside at Zandvoort – 2024 Dutch Grand Prix

Everything you need to know about attending the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix 2024 at Circuit Zandvoort. Entry, orientation, schedule and more.

After an absence of 36 years, the Dutch Grand Prix finally returned to the Formula 1 calendar at Circuit Zandvoort in 2021. The event has been a resounding success since returning to the calendar, with full grandstands of mainly locals. It certainly helps that local hero Max Verstappen has won all three races at Zandvoort since it returned to the calendar! 

Zandvoort is a historic circuit that has benefitted from significant investment associated with the return of the Dutch Grand Prix, but is limited by its compact size and location in the protected sand dunes next to the North Sea. This means that spectator areas can get very congested at peak times during race weekend. The good news is that the crowds are generally moving, if very slowly at times. The organizers’ have also put in place a well-executed mobility plan that encourages fans to arrive at the circuit by bicycle or public transport, and has banned most vehicles from local roads near the circuit on race weekend. Overall, the Dutch Grand Prix is one of the most well organized races on the current F1 calendar. 

The first two races back for Zandvoort in 2021 and 2022 saw warm and sunny weather, but 2023 was a different story, with significant amounts of rainfall across the weekend. This made for a very exciting race, but it’s something to consider if you want to attend. Being prepared for such weather at Zandvoort is essential.

Circuit Zandvoort: Good to Know

  • Race App: Download the Dutch GP app, where you can add your e-tickets and have easy access to the circuit map, event schedule & more
  • Circuit Opening Times: The circuit gates were open from 08:00-21:00 on all three days during last year’s Dutch GP. (TBC for 2024)
  • Entrance Gates: Three entrance gates provide access to Circuit Zandvoort – see the circuit map above. Please note that with the exception of fans staying in the 538 Dutch Grand Prix Village (official campsite for the race), there are NO PASSOUTS at the Dutch Grand Prix. See below for recommended entrance gates depending on your ticket type. Prohibited items are also listed below.

Which Entrance Gate Should I Use at Circuit Zandvoort?

  • Gate 1: VIP Zone, General Admission 1, Tarzan-In Grandstands, Pit Grandstand, Main Grandstand, Ben Pon Grandstand
  • Gate 2: VIP Zone, Fanzone, General Admission 2, Arena-Out Grandstand, Arena Grandstands, Arena-In Grandstand, Eastside Grandstands, Champions Club by F1 Experiences (If you are taking the train to Zandvoort, Gate 2 is the closest entry point.)
  • Gate 4: General Admission 1, Eastside Grandstands, Hairpin Grandstands

Which Items are Prohibited at the Dutch Grand Prix?

Click here to read the House Rules for the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort (2024 House Rules have not yet been published.) Prohibited items are listed below. In addition, it is not allowed to bring in any food or drinks to the circuit.

Bags larger than A4 size and thicker than 10 cm (bags for personal medical items will receive a bag tag and undergo inspection) / Soft or hard drugs, laughing gas, tear gas, glassware / Weapons such as firearms, striking-, or thrusting weapons, objects resembling weapons, or offensive objects / Flags with poles longer than one meter / Spray cans (except for sunscreen, deodorant, and perfume) / Gas stoves and (disposable) barbecues / Umbrellas (we recommend bringing ponchos as a precaution) / Musical instruments, sound devices, and horns or similar items / All types of fireworks (firecrackers, distress signals, flares, and smoke effects) / Provocative expressions on clothing or banners /Coolers (with or without contents) / (Foldable) chairs and stools / Any items that are too large to fit under a grandstand seat / Pets (except for assistance dogs) / Roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, hoverboards, scooters, bicycles, (moped) scooters, electric mobility scooters, and non-folding wheelchairs that do not fit under a grandstand / Promotional materials such as flyers, leaflets, and banners (unless approved and authorized by the organization) / Professional film, photo, or sound equipment (unless approved and provided with accreditation by the organization). Detachable lenses are considered the criterion for what constitutes professional equipment / Selfie sticks and drones (both on the ground and in the air) / All other matters that, in the sole judgment of the organization and authorized personnel, may pose a danger to health, safety, and/or public order

2024 Dutch Grand Prix Schedule

  • On-Track Schedule: The full timetable for on-track action won’t be confirmed until 4-6 weeks before race weekend. F1 session times have been confirmed for 2024 and are listed below.
  • Support Categories: The all-female F1 Academy and the Porsche Supercup will be the main support categories at Zandvoort in 2024. (The Dutch Grand Prix has not been included on the 2024 calendars for either Formula 2 or Formula 3.)
  • Pit Lane Walks: Some regular ticket holders are entitled to a pit lane walk on Thursday (we don’t have more information about this). Also on Thursday, F1 Experiences conducts a pit lane walk as part of extended trackside activities for selected guests (F1 Live Ticket Packages). From Friday to Sunday, guests in the F1 Paddock Club can take part in pit lane walks at selected times.

Friday, August 23

  • 12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)
  • 16:00-17:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)

Saturday, August 24

  • 11:30-12:30: Formula 1 –  Free Practice 3 (FP3)
  • 15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying

Sunday, August 25

  • 12:50-13:20: F1 Drivers’ Parade (TBC)
  • 15:00-17:00: Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix (72 Laps or 120 minutes)

Dutch GP Fanzone

The main F1 Fanzone at Circuit Zandvoort is located behind the final corner – see map above. It’s also very close to Gate 2, the main entry point for fans arriving from the train station in Zandvoort. As well as lots of food and drink outlets and all the usual interactive displays and merchandise stalls, there was also a large ferris wheel – rides cost €6 and provided excellent panoramic views of the circuit and coast.

In 2023, the F1 drivers and team principals made appearances on the stage in the fanzone on Friday and Saturday. The F1 drivers appeared on Friday morning (10:50-11:20), Saturday morning (09:10-09:45) and Saturday evening (18:10-18:45), while the F1 team principals appeared on Friday (14:45-15:15).

Food & Drink at the Dutch Grand Prix

There is a good selection of food on offer at Circuit Zandvoort, though the queues at peak times can be lengthy. As well as usual circuit fare like fries, sandwiches, hot dogs, fish and chips and burgers, the organizers also brought in specialist food trucks serving pizzas, Mexican and Asian cuisine. Drinks are priced at €5.25 for a large Heineken beer and €3.25 for mineral water and soft drinks. Free drinking water stations are also located around the fan areas.

34 thoughts on “Trackside at Zandvoort – 2024 Dutch Grand Prix”

  1. Does anyone know if you have to show any evidence of covid vaccination status this year when entering? If so, is the NHS covid pass acceptable?

    1. I’ve not seen anything about the need to show COVID vaccination certificated at Zandvoort. It’s not been a thing really for all the races since Miami! Have your NHS covid pass on you just to be sure, but I don’t think you will need to show it

        1. I don’t know of any radio station playing F1 commentary at Zandvoort. Alternatively, the paid version of the F1 app has live timing and live commentary, you just have to hope that you can get good internet signal to make it work – or Wifi. Which is never guaranteed when so many people are all using their devices around you

    1. Honestly, I think you will have to walk around and find out for yourself. Sorry, but the track has changed a lot in the past few years and GA wasn’t open last year. In 2019, I did walk around the whole circuit and there’s some great views from the sand hills looking down on the track. It just depends how many other fans will be there, and whether you can get yourself a good view

  2. Is there somewhere to experience a bit of the atmosphere without a ticket? Somewhere to see the rece next to the track? Thanks.

    1. Sorry I only just saw this message. I don’t think it’s worth trying to see anything from outside the track, but I do think it’s worth hanging out in the town of Zandvoort for the atmosphere

  3. Hi anyone know what the view is from the hairpin 2 is like I am on the second row not sure which part seat number is 176.
    Thanks in advance.
    I will be driving from the UK as then going onto Monza the following week where is the nearest I can get to the track to use transport.
    Thanks
    Margaret

    1. The Hairpin 1/2 grandstands are not the best at Zandvoort, but the price reflects this. I sat in Hairpin 2 in 2021 for a while. Here’s some photos. Hairpin 2, Hairpin 2. Make sure you wear some good shoes, as the Hairpin Grandstands are a little bit of a walk from the entrance gates and fanzone areas.
      Not sure where you are staying for the Dutch Grand Prix, but you cannot drive anywhere near the circuit on race weekend due to an exclusion zone. You can learn more in this post.

    1. Hi Amy, the location of the Fanzone is described in this article and it’s listed on the map. As well as food, drink and merchandise stalls, you always have various displays in the Fanzone and some interactive games.

  4. Hello. My wife and I are going to Zandvoort now in August. we will be staying in amsterdam. Do you have any tips for transport to and from the track?

  5. Hey!
    We went to Spa this year, and being able to bring drinks, food and a camping chair was really nice. Not being able to even bring drinks, in this heat at the moment, is just an absurdity… I hope the cues won’t be too long…

    Do you know if it’s possible to bring a Powerbank?

    1. Looks like no, unless it’s very small.

      From the list of prohibited items:
      – Bags larger than A4 size and thicker than 10 cm (bags for personal medical items will receive a
      bag tag and undergo inspection).

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