Zandvoort, which hosted rounds of the Formula One World Championship between 1955 and 1985, could make a surprise return to the F1 schedule.

The legendary track, which works its way through sand dunes by the North Sea was inaugurated in 1948 and hosted the Dutch Grand Prix in 1949, though it was not until 1955 that it became an F1 race counting towards the world championship.

Between 1958 and 1985 the circuit was a popular, ever-present on the F1 schedule, though the circuit underwent numerous changes.

For many, Tarzanbocht (Tarzan) the hairpin at the end of the main pit straight, is up there with some of the other legendary corners that have challenged F1 drivers over the years.

Plans to upgrade the track in the mid-80s were stymied by complaints over noise pollution from a nearby housing estate - built after the circuit, natch - and financial issues facing the company which ran the circuit.

In time, a new operating company was formed and the circuit underwent redevelopment, emerging in 1989 as the 1.6 mile Circuit Park Zandvoort.



In 1995 another major overhaul began as organisers sought to develop the facility from what was essentially a club circuit into a 2.7 mile international facility with new pits and grandstand.

Completed in 2001, the new facility was to host the Marlboro Masters, which eventually became the RTL Masters of Formula 3, DTM and A1GP.

The original Grand Prix track, though popular with driver and fans, had its dark side, Piers Courage (1970) and Roger Williamson (1973) among those who perished on the windswept track.

Now however, no doubt encouraged by the success of a certain Mr Verstappen, the local council is carrying out a feasibility study to see if F1 might return.

"The city council of Zandvoort decided that there should be an official report to research the possibilities for a possible return of F1 to Zandvoort," Erik Weijers, Chief Operating Officer at Zandvoort circuit, told F1Web.it. "The research should focus on all the infrastructural investments that should be done plus the organisation costs for a Grand Prix. This research will be carried out this year."

With an eye on those tracks already struggling to meet the financial demands of the sport's licence system, and even the upgrades still needed, Weijers admits that government backing is vital.

"This should be done by the city of Zandvoort or the Dutch government," he said. "It is impossible for an independent company like ours, to make the investments in the circuits infrastructure and organisation of a F1 GP without financial backing from the government.

"Fifty percent of our lay-out is like the original lay-out," he confirmed, "from the start-finish line until the Scheivlak section. The section Mastersbocht - Arie Luyendijkbocht has been created in the late 80’s and 90’s. The original section Marlborobocht - Bosuit could not be restored again as the land has been sold to a holiday village."

Asked about the Verstappen effect, he admitted: "This will certainly help to attract sponsors for the Dutch Grand Prix."

Acknowledging those European events clearly struggling, Weijers admitted that a possible solution could be to alternate events.

"We could think about a cooperation with Belgium or even Germany to organise the race in Spa or Nurburgring one year and come to Zandvoort the next."

Those in favour...