The 2026 Formula 1 season marks the end of an era as the summer break comes to a close. Today, Aug. 23, features the final running of the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, as the promoter decided not to renew the event hosting contract beyond this year.
F1 held a sprint weekend ahead of the main race. Mercedes’ George Russell won the sprint from pole position and will start today’s race in second place, just behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the World Drivers Championship standings, will start from third on the grid.
Dutch Grand Prix: What to Know
- When: Aug. 23, 9 a.m. ET
- Where: Circuit Zandvoort (Zandvoort, Netherlands)
- Channel: Streaming exclusive
- Streaming: Apple TV (try it free)
The grid will look slightly different for this race due to an injury. Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar is unable to compete this weekend after injuring his wrist. As a result, Red Bull has promoted Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson to the main team, and reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will drive for Racing Bulls.
The Dutch Grand Prix is a 70-lap, 190.504-mile race on a 2.646-mile circuit featuring 14 turns. Here is everything you need to know to tune in to today’s Formula 1 race.
Dutch Grand Prix Start Time
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled to begin today, Aug. 23, at 9 a.m. ET.
How to Watch the Dutch Grand Prix for Free
All Formula 1 action, including today’s Dutch GP, streams exclusively on Apple TV in the United States. Apple TV subscribers will get access to the entire Formula 1 season and extras, like *Race in 30*, at no additional cost.
Apple TV offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers and has a single ad-free streaming plan available for $12.99/month. You can also subscribe to Apple TV via Prime Video for the same $12.99/month price to stream all of its Formula 1 coverage.
2026 Dutch Grand Prix Starting Grid
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- Liam Lawson (Red Bull Racing)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
- Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
![block at the very beginning, then the rewritten article HTML body text. Tasks: 1. Clean the text: remove promotional lines, “SEE ALSO” links, and footer junk. In the given text, there are no “SEE ALSO” links, but we need to remove promotional lines (maybe like “Goodbye to the Dutch Grand Prix…”? Actually that’s the headline). Also remove footer junk (maybe the credits lines with class “credits-text”? Those might be considered footers, but they refer to credits of photos. Probably they are part of the article and should stay, as they are not footers. The instruction says “remove promotional lines, ‘SEE ALSO’ links, and footer junk.” There are no explicit promotional lines beyond maybe the mention of “Max Express” etc. We need to clean promotional lines; but maybe the text itself is promotional? Not sure. We need to keep all media elements (img tags, iframe tags, etc.) exactly. We must keep media elements exactly inline in their original relative positions. We need to rewrite headline to be unique, fresh, professional. Original headline: “Goodbye to the Dutch Grand Prix, the happiest Formula 1 race of the year”. Need a unique fresh professional headline. Something like “Dutch Grand Prix Concludes at Zandvoort After Historic Max Verstappen Era”. But must be professional. Maybe “Dutch Grand Prix Draws to a Close at Zandvoort, Marking the End of an Era”. Let’s craft: “Dutch Grand Prix Ends at Zandvoort, Concluding a Landmark Chapter in Formula 1”. Ensure unique and fresh. We must rewrite the body into natural high-quality professional English. Also need to keep the tags and other elements. Also need to keep image tags exactly as they are (including attributes). Also keep etc. We need to remove promotional lines, “SEE ALSO” links, and footer junk. The “promotional lines” could be the lines that sound promotional like “The Max Express is, of course, mainly filled…”? Not sure. The instruction likely expects us to strip out any promotional content that is not news. The original text is fairly promotional but it’s a news article. Perhaps they want to remove lines like “Zandvoort will always go down as one of the big early wins for F1 under Liberty Media’s ownership.” That’s more like promotional. But it’s still part of article. But maybe they consider any marketing language to be promotional and should be removed. Hard to interpret. Simplify: We’ll rewrite article, but also ensure we remove any lines that are promotional or junk. However we can’t remove tags unless we rewrite them as normal content. Maybe we need to rewrite the text but also remove promotional phrasing. The safest is to rewrite the article in professional tone, which may naturally reduce promotional tone. Also remove any “promotional lines” like “Goodbye to the Dutch Grand Prix, the happiest Formula 1 race of the year” which is a promotional sounding phrase; we replace with new headline. We need to keep media elements. So we keep all tags and lines. Also there are no tags, but there may be hidden ones. We need to rewrite body: Let’s go through paragraphs and rewrite them. Original paragraphs: 1: ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — It is no exaggeration to say that without Max Verstappen’s immense popularity, the Dutch Grand Prix would not have existed. We need to rewrite. Maybe: “ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — The Dutch Grand Prix’s existence owes much to Max Verstappen’s widespread popularity.” 2: Verstappen’s emergence as a generational talent after debuting at 17 and winning at 18 electrified Dutch interest in F1. The Oranje Army put its full weight behind the Netherlands’ newest great sports star, turning grandstands across the world bright orange in the process. Rewrite: “Verstappen’s rise to generational stardom, debuting at 17 and winning at 18, sparked a surge of Dutch enthusiasm for Formula 1. The fervent Oranje Army rallied behind the nation’s newest sporting hero, flooding grandstands worldwide with orange.” 3: It led to a revival for the Dutch Grand Prix, which had dropped off F1’s calendar in 1985 and, before Verstappen, showed little sign of returning. A compelling commercial argument for the race to return led to the redevelopment of Zandvoort, a track in a coastal town about 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam, and, from 2021, a return of F1 to the Netherlands. Rewrite: “This surge revived the Dutch Grand Prix, which had been absent from the F1 calendar since 1985 and, prior to Verstappen, showed little prospect of returning. A strong commercial case for its reinstatement spurred the redevelopment of Zandvoort, a coastal venue located roughly 30 minutes from Amsterdam, enabling Formula 1’s return to the Netherlands in 2021.” 4: Verstappen’s impact is so great that it is only right that the main mode of transport to get to Zandvoort — the train from Amsterdam — was named in his honor. Every five minutes through the race weekend, the ‘Max Express’ leaves Amsterdam Centraal station and makes its way to Zandvoort aan Zee, each train carrying hundreds of fans, the majority of whom are in support of Verstappen. Rewrite: “Verstappen’s influence is such that the primary transport to Zandvoort — the train from Amsterdam — was christened the ‘Max Express.’ The service departs Amsterdam Centraal every five minutes during race weekends, ferrying hundreds of fans, most of whom are Verstappen supporters.” 5: But today marks the final stop for the Max Express. It’s the last running of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, a race that became the blueprint for a modern-day F1 race weekend. Rewrite: “However, today marks the final stop for the Max Express, as the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort concludes its last running, having served as a blueprint for modern Formula 1 weekends.” 6: The decision to stop hosting F1 is chiefly a financial one, as the promoters, lacking backing from the Dutch government, recognize the economic realities of staging the race annually. At the end of 2024, F1 and Zandvoort agreed that 2026 would be the ‘final lap,’ as the race has been marketed. F1 had no shortage of interest to take the free slot, with both Portugal and Turkey joining the schedule from next year. Rewrite: “The cancellation is primarily financial, as promoters, without Dutch government backing, recognize the economic challenges of staging the race annually. In late 2024, Formula 1 and Zandvoort agreed that 2026 would mark the ‘final lap.’ With a vacant slot, both Portugal and Turkey have expressed interest in joining the calendar from next year.” 7: Not every race can have its own Max Express. Yet it is that train ride that, to me, starts a ritual that really sums up why the Dutch GP is going to be so missed on the calendar. It’s been a way to connect with a group of fans who have made this a race unlike anything else on the calendar. Rewrite: “Not every race boasts its own Max Express, yet that train journey initiates a ritual that captures why the Dutch Grand Prix will be deeply missed. It has connected fans in a way that defines the event’s uniqueness.” 8: After filing through Amsterdam Centraal station — which on Saturday was so rammed with fans getting in early for the sprint there were big delays — you are sent far down the platform to a waiting train. With one every five minutes, it’s an efficient way to shuttle fans in and out of the track. Rewrite: “After navigating the crowded Amsterdam Centraal station — where Saturday’s early influx of fans caused significant delays — attendees are guided to the waiting train, which departs every five minutes, providing an efficient shuttle between the station and the circuit.” 9: (image). We keep as is. 10: The train to the Dutch GP from Amsterdam is a race weekend tradition (Luke Smith / The Athletic) We might keep this as is; it’s credit text, not promotional. Probably keep. 11: The Dutch GP became a shining example in F1 of how to run a race efficiently. None of the 300,000 or so fans making the trip to Zandvoort over the race weekend do so by car, either using the Max Express or, as is the norm in the Netherlands, riding a bicycle. Promoters and organizers at other grands prix often travel to Zandvoort to learn best practices and how to efficiently get fans in and out. Rewrite: “The Dutch Grand Prix exemplified efficient event management in Formula 1. With roughly 300,000 spectators attending the weekend, nearly none traveled by car; most used the Max Express or bicycles, reflecting the Dutch norm. Organizers from other Grands Prix frequently visit Zandvoort to study its fan‑flow strategies.” 12: As the train passes through stops at Sloterdijk, Halfweg and Haarlem, groups will spend the ride excitedly discussing the day ahead and their plans, be it from the races they want to see or the amount of beer they plan to drink. Rewrite: “As the train travels through stops at Sloterdijk, Halfweg, and Haarlem, passengers enthusiastically discuss their plans for the day, from preferred races to anticipated beer consumption.” 13: On Friday, I met Natasha and Neil, two friends who had won tickets to the race only two days prior. Neither had attended an F1 race before, but were excited to see some fast cars up close so long before the race disappeared from the calendar. Even without diehard knowledge of F1, this event has great appeal in the Netherlands. Rewrite: “On Friday, I met Natasha and Neil, friends who secured race tickets just two days earlier. Neither had previously attended a Formula 1 event, yet they were eager to experience the high‑speed action up close before the race disappears from the calendar. The event’s broad appeal extends beyond die‑hard fans in the Netherlands.” 14: The Max Express is, of course, mainly filled with Verstappen fans chatting away in Dutch. But it has become noticeable year on year just how many different nationalities and colors of merchandise — everything from McLaren’s papaya to Ferrari’s red and even Aston Martin’s green — were present. Plenty of international fans have made this a race they want to attend.” Rewrite: “The Max Express is predominantly filled with Verstappen fans conversing in Dutch, yet each year the mix of nationalities and merchandise colors — ranging from McLaren’s papaya to Ferrari’s red and Aston Martin’s green — has become increasingly diverse, attracting many international supporters.” 15: Zandvoort will always go down as one of the big early wins for F1 under Liberty Media’s ownership. When the American investment group took ownership of the sport in 2017, it always wanted to take the sport to what it called “destination cities.” Miami from 2022 and Las Vegas from 2023 were the impactful, shiny ones. But through its easy access to Amsterdam, Zandvoort was the first event to tick that box for Liberty.” Rewrite: “Zandvoort will be remembered as an early success for Formula 1 under Liberty Media’s ownership. Since the American investment group acquired the sport in 2017, it aimed to bring the championship to “destination cities.” Miami (2022) and Las Vegas (2023) exemplified this strategy, while Zandvoort, with its convenient access from Amsterdam, was the first to fulfill that vision.” 16: That access runs out at Zandvoort aan Zee, where the walk to the beach cuts through a town normally home to a mere 17,000 people. There is a central street through the town decked out in orange and checkered-flag bunting, while the housing on either side is covered in Verstappen flags. Rewrite: “That access ends at Zandvoort aan Zee, where the walk to the beach passes through a town of roughly 17,000 residents. A central street is decorated with orange bunting and checkered‑flag motifs, while homes on either side display Verstappen flags.” 17: Keep. 18: The locals usually go all-out on race weekends for visitors (Luke Smith/The Athletic) Keep. 19: The Dutch GP became a shining example in F1 of how to run a race efficiently. (duplicate earlier). Wait we already covered earlier; maybe this is a duplicate paragraph. Actually after image, there is a paragraph about efficient example again. Let’s read: after first image, there is a paragraph: The Dutch GP became a shining example … (maybe same as earlier). We’ll rewrite but ensure not duplicate. Actually earlier we already rewrote similar content. Let’s examine: The earlier paragraph (point 11) already covered that. This later paragraph might be same but maybe after the second image? Let’s locate: after second image, there is paragraph: The Dutch GP became a shining example …. So we need to rewrite it again, but keep consistent. However we must keep original paragraphs, but we can rewrite content while preserving structure. However we cannot delete paragraphs; we can rewrite within them. The instruction: “Rewrite the surrounding news story body text into natural, high-quality, professional English.” So we need to rewrite each paragraph. So we must rewrite each content, preserving order, but we can change text. Let’s go through remaining paragraphs. Paragraph after second image (the one about locals): The locals usually go all-out on race weekends for visitors (Luke Smith/The Athletic) then next paragraph: The more enterprising residents sell cans of soda and beer to those too thirsty for the 20-minute walk to the track. When the rain suddenly hits, as happens regularly at the seaside, children run around the street offering ponchos for a couple of euros each to those who did not plan for the weather. We’ll rewrite: “Local residents go all‑out on race weekends, with some setting up speaker systems and karaoke machines on patios to entertain passing fans, while enterprising vendors sell soda and beer to those reluctant to walk the 20‑minute distance to the circuit. When sudden rain hits, as it often does at the seaside, children distribute ponchos for a few euros to unprepared visitors.” Next paragraph: It all means by the time the fans get to the track itself, just a couple of minutes from the coastline, the vibes for the day are already set. Rewrite: “By the time fans arrive at the track, just minutes from the coast, the atmosphere is already set.” Next paragraph: What greets them past the main gates is a fan zone, big and buzzing, offering a soundtrack of thudding EDM in between every on‑track session, with big‑name DJ Martin Garrix — who is also a huge F1 fan — being a regular performer. Zandvoort also was one of the first F1 events to really tap into the idea of making each race its own festival. Plenty of grands prix did live music and concerts as part of their offerings, yet Zandvoort made it central to the whole race weekend. Rewrite: “Beyond the main gates, a lively fan zone greets attendees, featuring a thumping EDM soundtrack between sessions, with renowned DJ Martin Garrix — an avid F1 enthusiast — regularly performing. Zandvoort pioneered the concept of turning each race weekend into a festival, integrating music centrally into the event, unlike many other Grands Prix that offer music only as an add‑on.” Next paragraph: Keep. Next: Fans of Max Verstappen watch from a grandstand during qualifying (Jordan McKean/Getty Images) Keep. Next: The theatrics weren’t reserved purely for the fans. Zandvoort sought to bring the same kind of vibe to the pre‑race grid ceremony, blaring music over the grandstands to amp up the fans as the drivers and teams conducted their final preparations, interrupted only by the national anthem. It may not be to some purists’ taste, but it has again become standard at other races across the calendar. Rewrite: “The theatrics extended beyond the fans, as Zandvoort amplified the pre‑race grid ceremony with loud music to energize supporters while drivers and teams completed final preparations, punctuated only by the national anthem. Although not universally appreciated by purists, this practice has become common at other races.” Next: Yet the organizers at Zandvoort also ensured the race felt like a true celebration of Dutch culture. It was felt no more powerfully than ahead of the 2023 race, when Andre Rieu, the world‑famous violinist and conductor, led a rousing rendition of the national anthem with his orchestra, as fans in the grandstands waved flags to form a giant version of the Dutch flag. Fittingly, Verstappen went on to win that race for a third year in a row. Rewrite: “Organizers also infused the event with Dutch culture, most vividly during the 2023 pre‑race ceremony when violinist Andre Rieu led a grand rendition of the national anthem with his orchestra, while fans created a massive Dutch flag with their banners. Verstappen duly secured his third consecutive victory.” Next: I’ve come to love that whole journey from Amsterdam through the track gates as a tradition of this race, as frustrating as the crowded waits for the trains can be. But the warmth of the Dutch fans hasn’t stopped there. Inside the track, there’s always a passionate and good‑natured feeling. Everyone is there for a good time. Rewrite: “I’ve grown to cherish the entire journey from Amsterdam to the track gates as an integral tradition of the event, despite the occasional crowded train waits. Inside the circuit, the atmosphere remains passionate and good‑natured, with everyone there simply to enjoy themselves.” Next image paragraph: Fans take in the action from the dunes (Guido De Bortoli/Getty Images) Keep. Next: It breeds an unwaveringly positive feeling, something I felt on Friday night when I was finishing my track run. Two separate groups of fans clapped and cheered for me as I neared the finish line, yelling “you did it!” as I turned back toward the paddock. I can’t lie, it made me feel like a hero. Rewrite: “It cultivates an unwaveringly positive atmosphere; on Friday night, after completing my track run, two groups of fans applauded and shouted “you did it!” as I turned back toward the paddock, making me feel like a hero.” Next: I then got another surprise upon leaving when I found the umbrella that I’d abandoned in the morning after a security guard had told me I couldn’t take it into the circuit. Ten hours later, it was still propped up against the fence, right where I’d left it. Rewrite: “Leaving the venue, I discovered the umbrella I had abandoned that morning after security told me it couldn’t be taken onto the circuit; ten hours later, it was still propped against a fence exactly where I had left it.” Next: Inside the track, the fans are happy to wait for hours to catch a glimpse of their heroes, hanging around at the paddock exit with their flags and banners. We see that kind of passion all across the calendar, yet Zandvoort has given F1 fandom its own unique flavor. Rewrite: “Inside the circuit, fans willingly wait for hours to glimpse their heroes, lingering at the paddock exit with flags and banners. While such devotion appears worldwide, Zandvoort has cultivated its own distinct flavor of F1 fandom.” Next: The Dutch GP has been a huge success for F1. And while I’ll miss it, I totally get why the promoters have decided now is the time to call it a day. I keep reminding myself that Amsterdam really isn’t that far from the UK, and I can still visit when I want without having to work. (This is me learning the concept of a holiday!) Rewrite: “The Dutch Grand Prix has been a tremendous success for Formula 1, and although I will miss it, I understand why the promoters have chosen now to end the event. Knowing that Amsterdam is not far from the UK, I can still visit at my leisure, learning what a holiday truly means.” Next: But for F1, this is it. A final hurrah for the Dutch GP and a last trip on the Max Express. Its passengers will venture back to Amsterdam tonight, some combination of sunburnt, rained upon, exhausted from their large step count, and maybe a bit tipsy. Rewrite: “For Formula 1, this marks the final celebration of the Dutch Grand Prix and the last journey on the Max Express. Tonight, its passengers will return to Amsterdam, a mix of sun‑burned, rain‑soaked, step‑count‑exhausted, and perhaps slightly tipsy travelers.” Next: Yet there is no doubt all will be satisfied with a final day at what has been one of F1’s most important events. It will be missed. Rewrite: “There is no doubt that all will cherish the final day of what has been one of Formula 1’s most significant events, and it will be missed.” Now we need to assemble the HTML body. We need to preserve the order of paragraphs and images exactly as in original, but with rewritten text. We must ensure that any promotional lines removed; but we have rewritten to be professional, which likely removed promotional language. Now we need to ensure we keep all tags exactly as they are, with attributes. Also keep tags and the credit spans. We must ensure that after the rewritten body, there is no extra text besides the [TITLE] block at the beginning. Let’s construct the final output. First, the [TITLE] block: [TITLE]Dutch Grand Prix Ends at Zandvoort, Concluding a Landmark Chapter in Formula 1](https://i1.wp.com/static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2026/08/22233818/GettyImages-2290766414-scaled.jpg?width=1200&height=630&fit=cover&w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "block at the very beginning, then the rewritten article HTML body text. Tasks: 1. Clean the text: remove promotional lines, “SEE ALSO” links, and footer junk. In the given text, there are no “SEE ALSO” links, but we need to remove promotional lines (maybe like “Goodbye to the Dutch Grand Prix…”? Actually that’s the headline). Also remove footer junk (maybe the credits lines with class “credits-text”? Those might be considered footers, but they refer to credits of photos. Probably they are part of the article and should stay, as they are not footers. The instruction says “remove promotional lines, ‘SEE ALSO’ links, and footer junk.” There are no explicit promotional lines beyond maybe the mention of “Max Express” etc. We need to clean promotional lines; but maybe the text itself is promotional? Not sure. We need to keep all media elements (img tags, iframe tags, etc.) exactly. We must keep media elements exactly inline in their original relative positions. We need to rewrite headline to be unique, fresh, professional. Original headline: “Goodbye to the Dutch Grand Prix, the happiest Formula 1 race of the year”. Need a unique fresh professional headline. Something like “Dutch Grand Prix Concludes at Zandvoort After Historic Max Verstappen Era”. But must be professional. Maybe “Dutch Grand Prix Draws to a Close at Zandvoort, Marking the End of an Era”. Let’s craft: “Dutch Grand Prix Ends at Zandvoort, Concluding a Landmark Chapter in Formula 1”. Ensure unique and fresh. We must rewrite the body into natural high-quality professional English. Also need to keep the tags and other elements. Also need to keep image tags exactly as they are (including attributes). Also keep etc. We need to remove promotional lines, “SEE ALSO” links, and footer junk. The “promotional lines” could be the lines that sound promotional like “The Max Express is, of course, mainly filled…”? Not sure. The instruction likely expects us to strip out any promotional content that is not news. The original text is fairly promotional but it’s a news article. Perhaps they want to remove lines like “Zandvoort will always go down as one of the big early wins for F1 under Liberty Media’s ownership.” That’s more like promotional. But it’s still part of article. But maybe they consider any marketing language to be promotional and should be removed. Hard to interpret. Simplify: We’ll rewrite article, but also ensure we remove any lines that are promotional or junk. However we can’t remove tags unless we rewrite them as normal content. Maybe we need to rewrite the text but also remove promotional phrasing. The safest is to rewrite the article in professional tone, which may naturally reduce promotional tone. Also remove any “promotional lines” like “Goodbye to the Dutch Grand Prix, the happiest Formula 1 race of the year” which is a promotional sounding phrase; we replace with new headline. We need to keep media elements. So we keep all tags and lines. Also there are no tags, but there may be hidden ones. We need to rewrite body: Let’s go through paragraphs and rewrite them. Original paragraphs: 1: ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — It is no exaggeration to say that without Max Verstappen’s immense popularity, the Dutch Grand Prix would not have existed. We need to rewrite. Maybe: “ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — The Dutch Grand Prix’s existence owes much to Max Verstappen’s widespread popularity.” 2: Verstappen’s emergence as a generational talent after debuting at 17 and winning at 18 electrified Dutch interest in F1. The Oranje Army put its full weight behind the Netherlands’ newest great sports star, turning grandstands across the world bright orange in the process. Rewrite: “Verstappen’s rise to generational stardom, debuting at 17 and winning at 18, sparked a surge of Dutch enthusiasm for Formula 1. The fervent Oranje Army rallied behind the nation’s newest sporting hero, flooding grandstands worldwide with orange.” 3: It led to a revival for the Dutch Grand Prix, which had dropped off F1’s calendar in 1985 and, before Verstappen, showed little sign of returning. A compelling commercial argument for the race to return led to the redevelopment of Zandvoort, a track in a coastal town about 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam, and, from 2021, a return of F1 to the Netherlands. Rewrite: “This surge revived the Dutch Grand Prix, which had been absent from the F1 calendar since 1985 and, prior to Verstappen, showed little prospect of returning. A strong commercial case for its reinstatement spurred the redevelopment of Zandvoort, a coastal venue located roughly 30 minutes from Amsterdam, enabling Formula 1’s return to the Netherlands in 2021.” 4: Verstappen’s impact is so great that it is only right that the main mode of transport to get to Zandvoort — the train from Amsterdam — was named in his honor. Every five minutes through the race weekend, the ‘Max Express’ leaves Amsterdam Centraal station and makes its way to Zandvoort aan Zee, each train carrying hundreds of fans, the majority of whom are in support of Verstappen. Rewrite: “Verstappen’s influence is such that the primary transport to Zandvoort — the train from Amsterdam — was christened the ‘Max Express.’ The service departs Amsterdam Centraal every five minutes during race weekends, ferrying hundreds of fans, most of whom are Verstappen supporters.” 5: But today marks the final stop for the Max Express. It’s the last running of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, a race that became the blueprint for a modern-day F1 race weekend. Rewrite: “However, today marks the final stop for the Max Express, as the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort concludes its last running, having served as a blueprint for modern Formula 1 weekends.” 6: The decision to stop hosting F1 is chiefly a financial one, as the promoters, lacking backing from the Dutch government, recognize the economic realities of staging the race annually. At the end of 2024, F1 and Zandvoort agreed that 2026 would be the ‘final lap,’ as the race has been marketed. F1 had no shortage of interest to take the free slot, with both Portugal and Turkey joining the schedule from next year. Rewrite: “The cancellation is primarily financial, as promoters, without Dutch government backing, recognize the economic challenges of staging the race annually. In late 2024, Formula 1 and Zandvoort agreed that 2026 would mark the ‘final lap.’ With a vacant slot, both Portugal and Turkey have expressed interest in joining the calendar from next year.” 7: Not every race can have its own Max Express. Yet it is that train ride that, to me, starts a ritual that really sums up why the Dutch GP is going to be so missed on the calendar. It’s been a way to connect with a group of fans who have made this a race unlike anything else on the calendar. Rewrite: “Not every race boasts its own Max Express, yet that train journey initiates a ritual that captures why the Dutch Grand Prix will be deeply missed. It has connected fans in a way that defines the event’s uniqueness.” 8: After filing through Amsterdam Centraal station — which on Saturday was so rammed with fans getting in early for the sprint there were big delays — you are sent far down the platform to a waiting train. With one every five minutes, it’s an efficient way to shuttle fans in and out of the track. Rewrite: “After navigating the crowded Amsterdam Centraal station — where Saturday’s early influx of fans caused significant delays — attendees are guided to the waiting train, which departs every five minutes, providing an efficient shuttle between the station and the circuit.” 9: (image). We keep as is. 10: The train to the Dutch GP from Amsterdam is a race weekend tradition (Luke Smith / The Athletic) We might keep this as is; it’s credit text, not promotional. Probably keep. 11: The Dutch GP became a shining example in F1 of how to run a race efficiently. None of the 300,000 or so fans making the trip to Zandvoort over the race weekend do so by car, either using the Max Express or, as is the norm in the Netherlands, riding a bicycle. Promoters and organizers at other grands prix often travel to Zandvoort to learn best practices and how to efficiently get fans in and out. Rewrite: “The Dutch Grand Prix exemplified efficient event management in Formula 1. With roughly 300,000 spectators attending the weekend, nearly none traveled by car; most used the Max Express or bicycles, reflecting the Dutch norm. Organizers from other Grands Prix frequently visit Zandvoort to study its fan‑flow strategies.” 12: As the train passes through stops at Sloterdijk, Halfweg and Haarlem, groups will spend the ride excitedly discussing the day ahead and their plans, be it from the races they want to see or the amount of beer they plan to drink. Rewrite: “As the train travels through stops at Sloterdijk, Halfweg, and Haarlem, passengers enthusiastically discuss their plans for the day, from preferred races to anticipated beer consumption.” 13: On Friday, I met Natasha and Neil, two friends who had won tickets to the race only two days prior. Neither had attended an F1 race before, but were excited to see some fast cars up close so long before the race disappeared from the calendar. Even without diehard knowledge of F1, this event has great appeal in the Netherlands. Rewrite: “On Friday, I met Natasha and Neil, friends who secured race tickets just two days earlier. Neither had previously attended a Formula 1 event, yet they were eager to experience the high‑speed action up close before the race disappears from the calendar. The event’s broad appeal extends beyond die‑hard fans in the Netherlands.” 14: The Max Express is, of course, mainly filled with Verstappen fans chatting away in Dutch. But it has become noticeable year on year just how many different nationalities and colors of merchandise — everything from McLaren’s papaya to Ferrari’s red and even Aston Martin’s green — were present. Plenty of international fans have made this a race they want to attend.” Rewrite: “The Max Express is predominantly filled with Verstappen fans conversing in Dutch, yet each year the mix of nationalities and merchandise colors — ranging from McLaren’s papaya to Ferrari’s red and Aston Martin’s green — has become increasingly diverse, attracting many international supporters.” 15: Zandvoort will always go down as one of the big early wins for F1 under Liberty Media’s ownership. When the American investment group took ownership of the sport in 2017, it always wanted to take the sport to what it called “destination cities.” Miami from 2022 and Las Vegas from 2023 were the impactful, shiny ones. But through its easy access to Amsterdam, Zandvoort was the first event to tick that box for Liberty.” Rewrite: “Zandvoort will be remembered as an early success for Formula 1 under Liberty Media’s ownership. Since the American investment group acquired the sport in 2017, it aimed to bring the championship to “destination cities.” Miami (2022) and Las Vegas (2023) exemplified this strategy, while Zandvoort, with its convenient access from Amsterdam, was the first to fulfill that vision.” 16: That access runs out at Zandvoort aan Zee, where the walk to the beach cuts through a town normally home to a mere 17,000 people. There is a central street through the town decked out in orange and checkered-flag bunting, while the housing on either side is covered in Verstappen flags. Rewrite: “That access ends at Zandvoort aan Zee, where the walk to the beach passes through a town of roughly 17,000 residents. A central street is decorated with orange bunting and checkered‑flag motifs, while homes on either side display Verstappen flags.” 17: Keep. 18: The locals usually go all-out on race weekends for visitors (Luke Smith/The Athletic) Keep. 19: The Dutch GP became a shining example in F1 of how to run a race efficiently. (duplicate earlier). Wait we already covered earlier; maybe this is a duplicate paragraph. Actually after image, there is a paragraph about efficient example again. Let’s read: after first image, there is a paragraph: The Dutch GP became a shining example … (maybe same as earlier). We’ll rewrite but ensure not duplicate. Actually earlier we already rewrote similar content. Let’s examine: The earlier paragraph (point 11) already covered that. This later paragraph might be same but maybe after the second image? Let’s locate: after second image, there is paragraph: The Dutch GP became a shining example …. So we need to rewrite it again, but keep consistent. However we must keep original paragraphs, but we can rewrite content while preserving structure. However we cannot delete paragraphs; we can rewrite within them. The instruction: “Rewrite the surrounding news story body text into natural, high-quality, professional English.” So we need to rewrite each paragraph. So we must rewrite each content, preserving order, but we can change text. Let’s go through remaining paragraphs. Paragraph after second image (the one about locals): The locals usually go all-out on race weekends for visitors (Luke Smith/The Athletic) then next paragraph: The more enterprising residents sell cans of soda and beer to those too thirsty for the 20-minute walk to the track. When the rain suddenly hits, as happens regularly at the seaside, children run around the street offering ponchos for a couple of euros each to those who did not plan for the weather. We’ll rewrite: “Local residents go all‑out on race weekends, with some setting up speaker systems and karaoke machines on patios to entertain passing fans, while enterprising vendors sell soda and beer to those reluctant to walk the 20‑minute distance to the circuit. When sudden rain hits, as it often does at the seaside, children distribute ponchos for a few euros to unprepared visitors.” Next paragraph: It all means by the time the fans get to the track itself, just a couple of minutes from the coastline, the vibes for the day are already set. Rewrite: “By the time fans arrive at the track, just minutes from the coast, the atmosphere is already set.” Next paragraph: What greets them past the main gates is a fan zone, big and buzzing, offering a soundtrack of thudding EDM in between every on‑track session, with big‑name DJ Martin Garrix — who is also a huge F1 fan — being a regular performer. Zandvoort also was one of the first F1 events to really tap into the idea of making each race its own festival. Plenty of grands prix did live music and concerts as part of their offerings, yet Zandvoort made it central to the whole race weekend. Rewrite: “Beyond the main gates, a lively fan zone greets attendees, featuring a thumping EDM soundtrack between sessions, with renowned DJ Martin Garrix — an avid F1 enthusiast — regularly performing. Zandvoort pioneered the concept of turning each race weekend into a festival, integrating music centrally into the event, unlike many other Grands Prix that offer music only as an add‑on.” Next paragraph: Keep. Next: Fans of Max Verstappen watch from a grandstand during qualifying (Jordan McKean/Getty Images) Keep. Next: The theatrics weren’t reserved purely for the fans. Zandvoort sought to bring the same kind of vibe to the pre‑race grid ceremony, blaring music over the grandstands to amp up the fans as the drivers and teams conducted their final preparations, interrupted only by the national anthem. It may not be to some purists’ taste, but it has again become standard at other races across the calendar. Rewrite: “The theatrics extended beyond the fans, as Zandvoort amplified the pre‑race grid ceremony with loud music to energize supporters while drivers and teams completed final preparations, punctuated only by the national anthem. Although not universally appreciated by purists, this practice has become common at other races.” Next: Yet the organizers at Zandvoort also ensured the race felt like a true celebration of Dutch culture. It was felt no more powerfully than ahead of the 2023 race, when Andre Rieu, the world‑famous violinist and conductor, led a rousing rendition of the national anthem with his orchestra, as fans in the grandstands waved flags to form a giant version of the Dutch flag. Fittingly, Verstappen went on to win that race for a third year in a row. Rewrite: “Organizers also infused the event with Dutch culture, most vividly during the 2023 pre‑race ceremony when violinist Andre Rieu led a grand rendition of the national anthem with his orchestra, while fans created a massive Dutch flag with their banners. Verstappen duly secured his third consecutive victory.” Next: I’ve come to love that whole journey from Amsterdam through the track gates as a tradition of this race, as frustrating as the crowded waits for the trains can be. But the warmth of the Dutch fans hasn’t stopped there. Inside the track, there’s always a passionate and good‑natured feeling. Everyone is there for a good time. Rewrite: “I’ve grown to cherish the entire journey from Amsterdam to the track gates as an integral tradition of the event, despite the occasional crowded train waits. Inside the circuit, the atmosphere remains passionate and good‑natured, with everyone there simply to enjoy themselves.” Next image paragraph: Fans take in the action from the dunes (Guido De Bortoli/Getty Images) Keep. Next: It breeds an unwaveringly positive feeling, something I felt on Friday night when I was finishing my track run. Two separate groups of fans clapped and cheered for me as I neared the finish line, yelling “you did it!” as I turned back toward the paddock. I can’t lie, it made me feel like a hero. Rewrite: “It cultivates an unwaveringly positive atmosphere; on Friday night, after completing my track run, two groups of fans applauded and shouted “you did it!” as I turned back toward the paddock, making me feel like a hero.” Next: I then got another surprise upon leaving when I found the umbrella that I’d abandoned in the morning after a security guard had told me I couldn’t take it into the circuit. Ten hours later, it was still propped up against the fence, right where I’d left it. Rewrite: “Leaving the venue, I discovered the umbrella I had abandoned that morning after security told me it couldn’t be taken onto the circuit; ten hours later, it was still propped against a fence exactly where I had left it.” Next: Inside the track, the fans are happy to wait for hours to catch a glimpse of their heroes, hanging around at the paddock exit with their flags and banners. We see that kind of passion all across the calendar, yet Zandvoort has given F1 fandom its own unique flavor. Rewrite: “Inside the circuit, fans willingly wait for hours to glimpse their heroes, lingering at the paddock exit with flags and banners. While such devotion appears worldwide, Zandvoort has cultivated its own distinct flavor of F1 fandom.” Next: The Dutch GP has been a huge success for F1. And while I’ll miss it, I totally get why the promoters have decided now is the time to call it a day. I keep reminding myself that Amsterdam really isn’t that far from the UK, and I can still visit when I want without having to work. (This is me learning the concept of a holiday!) Rewrite: “The Dutch Grand Prix has been a tremendous success for Formula 1, and although I will miss it, I understand why the promoters have chosen now to end the event. Knowing that Amsterdam is not far from the UK, I can still visit at my leisure, learning what a holiday truly means.” Next: But for F1, this is it. A final hurrah for the Dutch GP and a last trip on the Max Express. Its passengers will venture back to Amsterdam tonight, some combination of sunburnt, rained upon, exhausted from their large step count, and maybe a bit tipsy. Rewrite: “For Formula 1, this marks the final celebration of the Dutch Grand Prix and the last journey on the Max Express. Tonight, its passengers will return to Amsterdam, a mix of sun‑burned, rain‑soaked, step‑count‑exhausted, and perhaps slightly tipsy travelers.” Next: Yet there is no doubt all will be satisfied with a final day at what has been one of F1’s most important events. It will be missed. Rewrite: “There is no doubt that all will cherish the final day of what has been one of Formula 1’s most significant events, and it will be missed.” Now we need to assemble the HTML body. We need to preserve the order of paragraphs and images exactly as in original, but with rewritten text. We must ensure that any promotional lines removed; but we have rewritten to be professional, which likely removed promotional language. Now we need to ensure we keep all tags exactly as they are, with attributes. Also keep tags and the credit spans. We must ensure that after the rewritten body, there is no extra text besides the [TITLE] block at the beginning. Let’s construct the final output. First, the [TITLE] block: [TITLE]Dutch Grand Prix Ends at Zandvoort, Concluding a Landmark Chapter in Formula 1")
