Verstappen suffers blow as F1 make major race announcement

Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been dealt a blow ahead of the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Verstappen wrapped up the 2024 drivers' championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last month — his fourth consecutive title — and followed it up with a win at last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix.

The Dutchman will be eyeing grand prix win number 11 this weekend, but ahead of the race, he has had to contend with some bad news.

F1 has announced that after the end of 2026, the Dutch Grand Prix — Verstappen's home race — will be dropped from the calendar for good.

Dutch Grand Prix set to leave F1 calendar

The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the F1 schedule in 2021 after a 36-year hiatus, with large crowds turning out at Circuit Zandvoort ever since to cheer on the four-time world champion.

Verstappen has dominated the modern-day event at his home race, too, winning three on the bounce between 2021 and 2023 before McLaren's Lando Norris took the victory in 2024.

Given Verstappen's popularity and the fact that it is his home race, the grandstands are often packed out in orange, and there is a real party atmosphere at the circuit.

It appears the popularity of Verstappen has not been enough to save the event, however, with a statement confirming that 2026 will be the last time the race features on the calendar.

F1 and the Dutch GP promoter have agreed to a one-year extension to see the race remain until then, but after that, the race promoter has taken the decision not to remain on the calendar.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “I am incredibly grateful for the work that the team at the Dutch Grand Prix have done in recent years,"

"They raised the bar for European Grands Prix in terms of event spectacle and entertainment, supported the development of young talent by hosting F2, F3 and our F1 ACADEMY series, and have also pioneered sustainable solutions that have inspired our events around the world as we drive towards being Net Zero by 2030.

“All parties positively collaborated to find a solution to extend the race, with many options, including alternation or annual events on the table, and we respect the decision from the promoter to finish its amazing run in 2026. I want to thank all the team at the Dutch Grand Prix and the Municipality of Zandvoort who have been fantastic partners to Formula 1.”

Meanwhile, Robert van Overdijk, Director of the Dutch Grand Prix, added: “The Dutch Grand Prix is the result of a unique collaboration between SportVibes, TIG Sports, and Circuit Zandvoort, who shared the ambition of bringing the race back to the Netherlands,"

"What we have achieved so far is undoubtedly a huge success. The appreciation from our visitors, drivers, and teams has been unprecedented, and we are incredibly proud of that.

“While today’s announcement signals the end of a monumental era, we are confident there is plenty more for fans to look forward to at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 and 2026, including the Sprint in 2026."

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