Surprise circuit targets F1 debut: 'The chance is significant'

With the Dutch Grand Prix's departure from Zandvoort confirmed, the TT Circuit Assen has emerged as a candidate to keep Formula 1 in the Netherlands.

Sports promoter Lee van Dam says a return of the sport to Dutch soil is very much on the table, though he is careful to temper the more bullish claims circulating in the media.

The story gathered pace on Monday when sports marketing personality Chris Woerts told Dutch television programme Vandaag Inside that Formula 1 was "100% certain" to come to Assen within two to three years, citing Van Dam as his source.

Van Dam, who is closely involved in race activities at the TT Circuit, has now spoken to RacingNews365 directly, and his tone is rather more measured.

"In 2018 and 2019 we were already working on bringing Formula 1 to Assen," Van Dam said. "Back then, Zandvoort simply had the better credentials."

With Zandvoort now dropping off the calendar, the calculation has changed.

Van Dam is straightforward about the scale of work still required. The TT Circuit does not currently hold an FIA Grade 1 licence, which is an essential prerequisite for hosting a Formula 1 grand prix.

Obtaining one requires a formal FIA inspection followed by circuit modifications, and only after that process is completed can a venue be placed on the reserve list and considered for a one-off race or a rotation slot.

"That will certainly take a few more years," Van Dam acknowledged, directly contradicting the certainty with which Woerts had presented the timeline.

"The chance is admittedly significant, because many people want to keep Formula 1 in the Netherlands and we believe it is possible, but we are not there yet. You should definitely keep some reservation about it."

Liberty Media impressed by Assen

The circuit has, however, indicated it is willing to make the necessary adaptations, and Van Dam says the appetite exists at every level that matters.

One particularly encouraging signal has come from Formula 1's owners.

Liberty Media, which now also owns MotoGP, sent senior figures to the Assen TT, and Van Dam reports that they left with a strong impression of the venue's organisational capabilities.

"They saw how well the organisation operates and how a weekend with 250,000 visitors is managed," he said. "That gives them confidence that Formula 1 could be in safe hands organisationally at Assen."

Those conversations have strengthened Van Dam's belief that the circuit can become a serious candidate in due course.

Should the green light eventually come, the organisational framework is said to be largely in place already, with a foundation called 'Formule 1 Assen' set to co-organise the event alongside the TT Circuit acting as the operational partner.

As for a precise timeline, Van Dam is unwilling to commit to one, adding: "We will keep doing our best and make sure we are ready when the opportunity arises. But whether that is in two, three or more years, nobody can say at this moment."