SUPER FRIDAY AT DUTCH GRAND PRIX MORE THAN A RACE DAY

25 AUGUST 2023

With a successful Super Friday, the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023 officially started today. As many as 95,000 fans visited Zandvoort for the first day of racing, which in a short time has become a phenomenon name and where accessibility and inclusiveness are central.

The grandstands at the CM.com Circuit Zandvoort filled up today for the first practice sessions of Formula 1, Formula 2 and the Porsche Mobil1 SuperCup and the qualifications for the latter class. In the Fanzone, the festival activities and parties also attracted massive attention.

Cherish
The success of Super Friday is credited to event supporter Jumbo, which through promotions in the supermarket chain itself enabled many customers to visit the Dutch Grand Prix at a hefty discount. Partly as a result, Friday has emerged as the family day and the event has become accessible to a larger target group.

For Jumbo, one of the very first partners, this is the last year at the Dutch Grand Prix. “As a supporter of Max and the Dutch Grand Prix, Jumbo has contributed to many wonderful moments in Zandvoort, which we will always cherish. We owe Jumbo many thanks,” said Jan Lammers, sporting director of the Dutch Grand Prix. But with the farewell to Jumbo, the Super Friday does not disappear. “As far as we are concerned, this will remain the most accessible and attractive day at the same time for families and fans in the years to come.”

Social impact
The organization of the Dutch Grand Prix finds it important to create social impact. In cooperation with the LINDA.foundation, a number of less fortunate families were invited to Super Friday. With Spieren voor Spieren and PON, the Dutch Grand Prix organized a similar outing to Zandvoort for children with muscular diseases.

Throughout the weekend, 200 seats were reserved on the Extra Care Court for wheelchair-bound fans. The Ambulance Wish Foundation has a special place here to fulfill the last wishes of non-mobile terminal patients. In cooperation with HandicapNL, more additional facilities, including a low-pressure area, have been created. A special care hotel has been set up for some of this group at one of the campsites near the circuit.

Inclusiveness
“With these initiatives we are explicitly looking to increase the inclusivity and accessibility of the event,” said Lammers, who yesterday and today witnessed the enthusiasm over the presence of two ‘robots’ in the Paddock.The robots are directly connected to the Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam and the Prinses Máxima Center in Utrecht. The children staying there can control the two Awabots remotely and thus come into personal contact with the drivers. Yesterday, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, among others, took the time to do so.