The race weekend at Zandvoort is coming to an end today and is already being labelled a success. Not only in the field of racing or organizational matters, but also in the field of sustainability and social initiatives, the event has been able to take many steps this year.

Sustainability; orange is the new green
The aim of the FOM (Formula One Management) is to be CO2 neutral by 2030 and the organization of the Dutch GP actively contributes to this in all kinds of ways. For example, from the first edition, all efforts have been made to make the infrastructure around the CM.com Circuit Zandvoort greener by offering visitors better alternatives than transport by car.

Yesterday it appeared that this goal has been amply achieved and that 0% of the regular visitors travelled by car. Means of transport such as train and bus (42%) and bicycle (37%) are very popular. The impact of this adjustment is huge knowing that normally an event of this size owes about 70% of its footprint to the transport of visitors. In addition, generators are used that run on HVO100 fuel, the most sustainable option currently available. This saves the event at least 80% CO2 emissions on the energy supply.

Care for the environment
The Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix collects and processes all waste separately and recycles all kinds of materials. For example, bags are made from unused cloths. The organization is also working on improving the natural environment around the circuit, for example by upgrading the Visserspad. Last year, 70% of the plastic cups were reused, a percentage that the organization wants to retain this year with 40,000 extra visitors per day. Food waste is prevented as much as possible by donating the leftover food to the Food Bank.

Robert van Overdijk, director of Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix, explains: “We not only look at environmental aspects such as recycling and CO2 impact, but also at social initiatives, economic impact and the nature around us. Due to the steps we have been able to take, in a number of cases we are already ahead of our long-term plan. We are very proud of that. We would like to be at the forefront of Formula 1’s netzero strategy so that we can inspire others to take similar steps.”

Social initiatives
The organization of the Dutch Grand Prix massively values making the largest motorsport event in the world accessible to everyone. For example, an Extra Care Court has been deployed throughout the weekend that allows 100 people with disabilities to follow the race from close by at the best spot on the circuit, in front of the main grandstand. A lot has been taken into account on this platform, for example it has a low-stimulus space. Another initiative this year is that children currently staying at the Princess Maxima Center are in contact with the paddock by means of a robot camera. Several drivers paid attention to this and had special one-on-one conversations with the children (see video here). Through the ‘Grid Kids programme’, 20 children were able to attend Zandvoort via, among others, the LINDA.foundation, Esther Vergeer Foundation and the refugees program. “Through all these different initiatives, we make the event bigger than the race itself and create positive impact. We will continue that in the coming years”, concludes van Overdijk.