The second day of the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2021 has been successful. The crowd was managed properly, partly as a result of the adjusted communication towards visitors. Due to this, peak moments as experienced the day before, were avoided. Today, up to 65,000 motorsport fans have been treated to a sun-drenched, diverse racing program with the qualifying of the Formula 1 as main event.

First Dutchman on pole position in Zandvoort
Max Verstappen took pole position in front of frenzied racing fans dressed in orange. A unique achievement on a particularly festive day with a lot of atmosphere. Never before has a Dutchman been in the first starting position during the Grand Prix of the Netherlands.

Only two percent by car
Both the influx and outflux of fans through Zandvoort went smoothly. In the morning, almost half of the visitors arrived on foot or by bike, 33% by public transport and 8% by shuttle limousine buses (MaaS – Mobility as a Service). Striking is the fact that only 2% of racing enthusiasts came by car. These figures make a surprisingly positive contribution to the sustainability ambitions of the organisation in the field of mobility.

Seated event
The Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2021 is organised under the protocol of ‘Testing for Access’ whereby spectators are asked for a vaccination certificate or negative test result upon arrival at the track. Subsequently, the audience is encouraged to stay in their designated seat as much as possible, that resulted in a good distribution of the visitors at the event.

Measures have positive impact
On Saturday September 4th, more emphasis was placed on the rules of ‘Testing for Access event’ in the communication to visitors. For example, visitors have been asked via all kinds of means of communication to stay in their allocated seat as much as possible and to give each other space. In addition, volunteers helped to, for example, point out to people to consume their drinks in the stands. The coordination consultation (AO) between the various services concerned (including the fire brigade, police, municipality, kennemerland safety region, NS, ProRail) came the conclusion that the measures taken are having a positive effect.

Atmospheric orange-sea of supporters
Race fans could enjoy the historic qualifying of the Grand Prix in the Netherlands today that took place at Zandvoort for the first time in 36 years. Max Verstappen, who took pole position was delighted to thank his team and the fans, offers a promising prelude to tomorrow’s race.

“What a day”
Robert van Overdijk, director of the Dutch Grand Prix says: “What a day. After 36 years a Dutchman on pole position, radiant weather and a great atmosphere. The communication towards visitors that we have used, have the desired effect with a manageable crowd and good flow. There was not a single traffic jam in the wide area of Zandvoort. The inflow and the outflow went very well and only 2% came by car.”