Dutch GP in pictures as F1 prepares for Zandvoort farewell

ByAlan Jewell
BBC Sport

Formula 1 says farewell to the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend with the final event at Zandvoort before it drops off the calendar.

Orange smoke has hung in the air of the seaside venue since it returned to the schedule in 2021 after a 36-year absence, with sell-out crowds overwhelmingly supporting Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Despite its popularity, organisers have not been able to make the event work financially and have decided not to continue hosting F1.

Before Zandvoort signs off, we take a look back at a selection of images from the Dutch Grand Prix, which was first run as an F1 event in 1952.

Smoke comes up from the tyres as Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark and Graham Hill lead the field away at the start of the 1963 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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Jim Clark (left), Graham Hill (centre) and Bruce McLaren lead the field away at the start in 1963

Jim Clark driving his Lotus during the 1965 Dutch Grand Prix. The Netherlands flag is flying in the backgroundImage source, Getty Images
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Jim Clark in his Lotus in 1965 on the way to the third of his record four victories at Zandvoort

A photographer stood on the inside of the first corner, Tarzan, as cars go round it at the start of the 1969 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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A brave photographer stands on the inside of the first corner, Tarzan, at the start of the 1969 race

Sally Courage, the wife of Piers Courage, reading a novel at the 1970 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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The Dutch Grand Prix has been the scene of tragedy with British drivers Piers Courage and Roger Williamson dying in accidents, in 1970 and 1973 respectively. Here, Sally Courage, Piers' wife, reads a novel on the day she would lose her husband

James Hunt stood with the key figures in the Hesketh team: From the left, Lord Hesketh, team manager Anthony 'Bubbles' Horsley and designer Harvey PostlethwaiteImage source, Getty Images
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James Hunt's first F1 victory came at the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix, the only win for the privateer Hesketh team, who became known for their 'work hard, play hard' approach to the sport and raced in a patriotic red, white and blue. The key figures in the team were, from left: founder Lord Alexander Hesketh, Hunt, team manager Anthony 'Bubbles' Horsley and designer Harvey Postlethwaite

Ferrari's Niki Lauda and Lotus' Mario Andretti side by side during the 1977 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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Ferrari's Niki Lauda, the eventual winner, and Lotus' Mario Andretti side by side in 1977

McLaren's James Hunt and Lotus' Mario Andretti collide during the 1977 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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McLaren's James Hunt and Lotus' Mario Andretti tangle while battling for the lead in 1977, with the Briton eliminated on the spot. A few of the photographers in the bottom right of the picture have their attention elsewhere

At the 1979 Dutch Grand Prix, Gilles Villeneuve drives his Ferrari with a shredded left rear wheel barely hanging on to his carImage source, Getty Images
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Gilles Villeneuve's left rear wheel is barely hanging on to his Ferrari after he spun out of the lead in 1979 because of a punctured tyre. He was able to get back to the pits but the resulting damage ended his race. The footage of Villeneuve wrestling with his stricken car is one of the most replayed moments from the Canadian's career

Ferrari's Gilles Vileneuve goes off at Tarzan during the 1981 Dutch Grand Prix, throwing dirt and dust into the airImage source, Getty Images
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Another escapade for Villeneuve, as he spins off at Tarzan in 1981

Spectators run from the scene of the accident, and tyres and dust fly into the air, as Rene Arnoux crashes his Renault during the 1982 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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Spectators run for cover as Rene Arnoux crashes at Tarzan in 1982. A wheel came off his Renault on the approach to the corner, effectively rendering the Frenchman a passenger, but he was unhurt

Niki Lauda ahead of McLaren team-mate Alain Prost during the 1985 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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Niki Lauda leads McLaren team-mate Alain Prost in 1985. It was the final F1 victory for three-time world champion Lauda and the final Dutch Grand Prix for 36 years

Dutch fans greet Red Bull's Max Verstappen with orange flares on the race's return to the F1 calendar in 2021Image source, Getty Images
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Dutch fans greet Red Bull's Max Verstappen with orange flares on the race's return to the F1 calendar in 2021. Home hero Verstappen would win the race on the way to his first world championship title

Red Bull's Max Verstappen drives around a hairpin with orange smoke in the air after Dutch fans let off flares during the 2022 grand prixImage source, Getty Images
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Verstappen won the first three races at Zandvoort following its return to the schedule, including here in 2022

Fans stood on sand dunes watch the 2022 Dutch Grand PrixImage source, Getty Images
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The sand dunes at the side of the track offer a viewing experience more in keeping with golf's Open Championship than a typical F1 race

Logan Sargeant jumps out of his smoking Williams after crashed in final practice, causing extensive damage which meant he was unable to take part in qualifying. He was dropped by Williams the following weekImage source, Getty Images
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Logan Sargeant jumps out of his smoking Williams after crashing in final practice in 2024, causing extensive damage which meant he was unable to take part in qualifying. He was dropped by Williams the following week

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat on sand dunes after retiring from the Dutch Grand Prix, while using a mobile phoneImage source, Getty Images
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After retiring from the 2025 race, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat for a while on a sand dune, waiting for a lift back to the pits, and borrowed a photographer's mobile phone to pass the time

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