Social Impact programme FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX: a small gesture with great significance

At the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX, the desire to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the event is also being realised through the Social Impact programme. Extra efforts have been made again this year to achieve this. “It is satisfying to see that the Dutch Grand Prix can mean so much to people who do not always have it easy in life,” says Dimitri Bonthuis, sustainability manager at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Stichting Ambulancewens at the Dutch Grand Prix (photographer: Chris Schotanus / Dutch Grand Prix)

Since its first edition, the Dutch Grand Prix has been working together with Stichting HandicapNL. This year, their joint efforts to enable people with disabilities to enjoy race week in Zandvoort to the fullest even resulted in the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award being presented to Stichting HandicapNL. The award, initiated by Formula 1® and gaming organisation Allwyn, is presented to organisations that have a positive impact on the local community surrounding F1 races.

Inclusivity
At the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, this is evident in a platform that can accommodate 100 wheelchair users and their companions. Care areas have been set up around it, including a low-stimulus room. Here, fans can find peace and quiet while still following the race with noise-cancelling headphones.

Bonthuis: “In addition, ‘mobility buggies’ drive around the circuit to take fans for whom walking long distances is a major challenge from A to B, and wheelchairs are available for loan. These are just a few examples of our approach to promoting inclusivity.”

Special commentary
Every year, Stichting Ambulance Wens fulfils the last wishes of several terminal patients at the Dutch Grand Prix. Since last year, this has been expanded to include facilitating the Pitlane Tour on the Thursday prior to the F1 race.

New this year is Dutch GP Radio, an internet radio station that provides special commentary throughout the weekend during all qualifying sessions and races for visually impaired fans in the stands (service is in Dutch).

Attention
The Dutch Grand Prix also supports the LINDA.Foundation, which gives race fans from less privileged families free admission and welcomes fifteen children on Sunday to meet their idols in person.

“Our Social Impact programme has also attracted the attention of other promoters from abroad. This year, for example, we are hosting a visit from the organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix, who are keen to learn from our approach,” says Bonthuis.