{"id":1039,"date":"2026-08-21T10:58:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=1039"},"modified":"2026-08-21T10:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:58:35","slug":"antonelli-praises-super-fun-zandvoort-and-laments-f1-calendar-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-praises-super-fun-zandvoort-and-laments-f1-calendar-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"Antonelli praises &#8220;super fun&#8221; Zandvoort and laments F1 calendar exit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Driver&#8217;s track:<\/strong> Andrea Kimi Antonelli praised Circuit Zandvoort for its high technical demands, singling out Sector 2 and its wind sensitivity as a thrilling challenge in qualifying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Loss for F1:<\/strong> The Championship leader echoed <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/max-verstappen-laments-departure-of-zandvoort-from-calendar-that-lacks-personality-in-f1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Max Verstappen&#8217;s laments over Zandvoort leaving the calendar<\/a> after 2026, stating that losing such a unique layout is a shame for the sport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hope for return:<\/strong> Fresh off <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/andrea-kimi-antonelli-strikes-late-with-mercedes-to-top-dutch-gp-practice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">topping the sole practice session in his Mercedes<\/a>, Antonelli expressed optimism that the Dutch venue might return to the F1 schedule in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/andrea-kimi-antonelli-strikes-late-with-mercedes-to-top-dutch-gp-practice\/\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/a> expressed regret over Circuit Zandvoort dropping off the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1<\/a> calendar following the 2026 season. The Mercedes driver highlighted the technical complexity of the Dutch venue, emphasizing that the circuit offers an exceptionally rewarding experience during qualifying runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zandvoort returned to the F1 schedule in 2021 after a multi-decade absence, establishing a popular presence on the European leg. However, the venue will not feature on the race calendar from 2027 onward, bringing an end to a six-year consecutive stint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Antonelli, losing the venue represents a significant loss for drivers and fans alike. Speaking in a press conference attended by <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong>, the Italian outlined why the track stands out from a technical standpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Honestly, I think it\u2019s a great track. From a driving perspective, especially in qualifying, it\u2019s super fun. It\u2019s a very technical circuit and not easy at all, especially when it comes to putting everything together into one complete lap,&#8221; Antonelli stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Sector 2 is particularly tricky because the wind has a huge influence through those turns. So it\u2019s definitely a shame to lose a track like this,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"F1 2026, PAISES BAIXOS, TREINO LIVRE, MERCEDES, KIMI ANTONELLI\" class=\"wp-image-1020312358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-treino-livre-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-01.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli topped opening practice at Zandvoort (Photo: F1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite Zandvoort&#8217;s imminent exit from the schedule, Antonelli remained hopeful that the venue could make a comeback in future calendar rotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Who knows? Maybe it will come back in the future. From a pure driving standpoint, it\u2019s definitely one of those tracks that gives you a lot of enjoyment,&#8221; Antonelli concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort with Sprint Qualifying for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> covers all the track action live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/news\/\">news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Session<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Local time (CEST)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>UTC<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Free Practice 1<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, August 21 \u2013 12:30<\/td><td>10:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sprint Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, August 21 \u2013 16:00<\/td><td>14:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sprint Race<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, August 22 \u2013 11:30<\/td><td>09:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, August 22 \u2013 15:00<\/td><td>13:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Race<\/strong><\/td><td>Sunday, August 23 \u2013 15:00<\/td><td>13:00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>United States (Eastern Time \/ ET)<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Broadcaster:<\/strong> Apple TV<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Free Practice 1:<\/strong> Friday, August 21 \u2013 06:30 ET<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Qualifying:<\/strong> Friday, August 21 \u2013 10:00 ET<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, August 22 \u2013 05:30 ET<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifying:<\/strong> Saturday, August 22 \u2013 09:00 ET<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Race:<\/strong> Sunday, August 23 \u2013 09:00 ET<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Why is Circuit Zandvoort leaving the Formula 1 calendar after 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contract extension for the Dutch Grand Prix expires at the end of the 2026 season, as F1 continues to rotate European events to accommodate new global host venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. What makes Sector 2 at Zandvoort challenging according to Antonelli?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli noted that Sector 2 features sweeping, exposed corners where changing wind direction significantly alters aerodynamic balance and downforce levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Did Andrea Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in FP1 at Zandvoort?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/andrea-kimi-antonelli-strikes-late-with-mercedes-to-top-dutch-gp-practice\/\">Antonelli set the fastest lap in sole practice<\/a> with a 1:12.949 benchmark.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli highlighted the technical challenge of the Dutch layout, particularly in qualifying trim, and expressed hope for its potential return in the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020312360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Andrea Kimi Antonelli topped opening practice at Zandvoort","42wp_featured_image_credits":"F1","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":21,"location":"Zandvoort"},{"id":93,"location":""}],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[19,262],"42wp_author":[21,93],"class_list":["post-1039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-andrea-kimi-antonelli","tag-zandvoort","42wp_author-leonid-kliuev","42wp_author-marcos-gil"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1039"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1040,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1039\/revisions\/1040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020312360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1039"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=1039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}