JUNE 25, 2001
Dutch Grand Prix in the pipeline?
FORMULA ONE ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone will visit the Dutch circuit of Zandvoort before this year's Belgian Grand Prix to discuss the possibility of a race there following discussions with circuit boss Hans Ernst at last weekend's European Grand Prix.
Ecclestone, who recently announced his decision to put a Russian Grand Prix on the calendar as soon as the Moscow circuit is ready, is continually looking into new venues, and Ernst believes Zandvoort has a good chance of securing an event.
"I have still a good hope that we can get a Grand Prix of Holland back to Zandvoort," said Ernst. "We have done all the changes the FIA asked us to.
"Now we still have to give the FIA at least $11 million (US Dollars) to organize it, and we need the local government to support us."
FIA president Max Mosley was impressed by the improvements that had been made to the Zandvoort circuit when he visited last year, and now the event appears to be in the hands of Ecclestone.
Ernst did not reveal which race he thought the Dutch event could replace, but said: "I think the Budapest race will move to Moscow but there are two in Italy and two in Germany and they are our chance."
Zandvoort first hosted a Grand Prix in 1952 and was last on the calendar in 1985.