The TT Circuit Assen, one of the Netherlands' most iconic motorsport venues, has confirmed it will not step in to save the Dutch Grand Prix after Zandvoort exits the Formula 1 calendar in 2026.
Formula 1 and Zandvoort jointly announced that the 2026 edition—set to feature a sprint race—will be the last Dutch Grand Prix for now.
The decision left Dutch racing personality Tom Coronel deeply surprised.
"I'm shocked," Coronel told the Dutch magazine Formule 1. "I think it's really strange—it's just not right. It's successful, it's full, and it's the biggest orange party there is.
"Obviously, it's about money as usual, but I still find it strange," he added. "I guess that's what you get when the state doesn't cooperate. So I do understand that if it is just not profitable, you cannot continue to take the losses. What I just don't understand is that the money can't come from anywhere else.
"Grands prix are organised all over the world—so why not at Zandvoort?"
Some speculated that Assen, a well-known MotoGP circuit, might consider bidding to bring Formula 1 to its track in the wake of Zandvoort's departure.
However, an Assen circuit spokesperson quickly shut down the idea.
"We are not thinking about it at all," the official told Algemeen Dagblad. "This is also fresh news for us, but at the moment it does not play any role in our strategic considerations. Organising a grand prix is no small task.
"A lot of money is involved, and a considerable business risk is being taken," the spokesperson continued. "For motorsport in the Netherlands, we find it a great pity that it is stopping in Zandvoort after six years. But the organisation has made a very conscious decision based on experience.
"We also have respect for that. We can be proud of what has been achieved and how it all went."
