Piastri praises layout and laments Zandvoort’s F1 departure: “We will miss it”

Key takeaways

• Regret over calendar exit: Oscar Piastri lamented Zandvoort’s upcoming departure from the Formula 1 calendar after 2026, stating that drivers prefer historic, classic venues over newly added street circuits.
• Layout praise: While acknowledging the circuit’s logistical challenges and narrow layout, Piastri named Zandvoort one of the best tracks to drive all year.
• Hungaroring similarities: The McLaren driver highlighted characteristics shared between Zandvoort and the Hungaroring, hoping his team can replicate the strong performance that saw Lando Norris win in Hungary.

Oscar Piastri expressed regret over Zandvoort dropping off the Formula 1 calendar after 2026, emphasizing the drivers’ clear preference for historic circuits. According to the Australian, the Dutch track ranks among the most enjoyable to drive all year, even if it does not always produce the most action-packed racing.

Speaking to reporters in a media session attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO in Zandvoort, the McLaren driver noted that traditional layouts generally offer a better driving experience, pointing to a collective preference for historic venues over newer additions to the championship.

“It’ll be a shame to see this track go off the calendar because it’s one of the best layouts we have to drive on all year. Maybe not the most exciting race, and even logistically, it’s pretty small for F1. Still, there’s obviously a balance to be found. There are so many different countries that want to host an F1 race. For us as drivers, all the historic circuits are probably the most enjoyable to race on,” he stated.

“There have been some good new additions to the calendar, but generally, the older circuits are the ones we like the most. If we’re going to replace this place with Imola or Spa in the future, then I’ll be quite happy. But if it’s for potentially another street circuit that might not be ideal, then there’s a sweet spot to be found. Without a doubt we’ll miss it, because it’s a great place to drive,” Piastri emphasized.

Following Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s assessment that McLaren will be Mercedes’ main rival at Zandvoort, Piastri also pointed out similarities between the Dutch venue and the Hungaroring, where McLaren delivered a competitive outing before the break. The Australian hopes the track’s features will allow the team to fight at the front once again.

“This circuit this weekend is similar in many ways to Hungary, in terms of corner speeds and their nature. So hopefully that will be good news for us. We also have a few new parts this weekend, but I’m sure other teams will have updates too, whether this weekend or in the coming weeks. Hungary was a pleasant surprise in terms of how competitive we were, so I hope we can keep that up,” he concluded.

Formula 1 returns this weekend, from August 21 to 23, for the Dutch Grand Prix — the 12th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all the track action live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow the latest paddock updates on our news page.

Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Why is Zandvoort leaving the Formula 1 calendar after 2026?

The Dutch Grand Prix is reaching the end of its contract cycle after 2026, with F1 rotating and replacing venues to accommodate high commercial interest from new global host locations.

2. Which track did Oscar Piastri compare Zandvoort to in terms of characteristics?

Piastri compared Zandvoort to the Hungaroring, noting that both circuits feature similar corner speeds and track flow.

3. Does McLaren have new upgrades for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix?

Yes, Oscar Piastri confirmed that McLaren introduced additional new components to their car for the Zandvoort weekend to maintain their competitive momentum.