Circuit Zandvoort

Circuit guide by Chris Pollitt · dates updated 2 November 2026

Zandvoort sits in the sand dunes on the North Sea coast, about half an hour west of Amsterdam. It first ran in 1948, and the 2020 rebuild for the Dutch Grand Prix added two steeply banked corners, Hugenholtz and Arie Luyendyk, to a lap that already rose and fell over the dunes. At 4.259 km it's short enough to learn in a day but tight enough to keep you busy.

It's a narrow, flowing track with blind entries and gravel close to the edges. That makes it rewarding in a light, nimble car and a bit intimidating in something big and powerful. Track days are run for cars by Dutch, German and UK organisers, and noise is a serious matter here because the town is right next door, so limits are lower than many UK drivers are used to. Sand blowing onto the racing line is a real thing, especially on windy days early in the morning.

A lap of Circuit Zandvoort

Layout: Grand Prix, 4.259 km (2.65 miles)

The pit straight ends at Tarzanbocht, a wide 180-degree right with a big braking zone and a slight banking on the outside line. It's the main overtaking spot, so expect to get passed or to do the passing here. Gerlachbocht follows straight away, a partly blind right where you can't see the exit on the way in, so commit to your line and trust it.

Hugenholtzbocht is the first of the banked bowls, a slow left that gets steeper the higher you go, up to around 18 degrees. There's more than one line through it, and the banking lets you pick up the throttle earlier than you'd think. The exit fires you up the hill at Hunserug, a fast, mild right over one of the highest points on the circuit.

Then comes the best part of the lap. The Rob Slotemakerbocht is taken at high speed over the top of the dune, and you're almost blind on the run into Scheivlak, a fast downhill right where the car goes light and off-camber. Lift too much and you lose time. Turn in carelessly and the gravel is waiting. Mastersbocht is a fast right with a stop straight after into the tighter, more technical turn 9, then turn 10 brings you out onto the back section.

Brake hard for the Hans Ernst chicane, a quick change of direction where the sausage kerbs punish anyone trying to straight-line it. Exit speed from turn 13 sets you up for the Arie Luyendykbocht, the final corner with banking of up to 18 degrees. Commit to it, let the banking hold the car, and you're onto the pit straight with as much speed as possible.

Track day tips

• Noise is taken seriously. Check the limit for your day, as it's often well below what UK circuits allow, and get your car tested before you travel.
• Sand blows onto the track from the dunes, especially when it's windy. Take the first few laps easy and look for the darker patches.
• The banking at Hugenholtz and Luyendyk loads the tyres and suspension in a way most UK tracks don't, so check tyre pressures after your first session.
• Scheivlak is where people get it wrong. The car is light and off-camber there, so be smooth and avoid lifting suddenly.
• The town is busy in summer and parking is tight on race weekends. Arrive early for a track day and plan where you'll leave your trailer.

Getting there

From Calais it's around 370 km to Zandvoort via Belgium, Antwerp and Rotterdam, roughly four hours after the Dover to Calais ferry or Eurotunnel. Another option is the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry, which leaves you about an hour's drive from the circuit. Amsterdam Schiphol is the nearest airport, a short drive away. Zandvoort itself has hotels and holiday flats by the beach, and Haarlem is close by with plenty more choice.