Travel chaos hits final Dutch GP

Formula 1’s final Dutch GP at Zandvoort has been hit by major transport chaos, with thousands of spectators struggling to reach the circuit for the sold-out farewell weekend.

Because access by car is heavily restricted, huge numbers of fans rely on trains from Amsterdam, with services normally running every few minutes and carrying up to around 10,000 people per hour towards Zandvoort.

But on Saturday, technical problems and overcrowding caused serious disruption from early in the morning.

Bild reports that a train broke down near Amsterdam Central, while later services also suffered problems, creating long queues and forcing some already packed trains to be emptied.

Thousands of fans consequently missed at least part of the Sprint race, despite many having left early.

The problems were also reported at Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Haarlem, where some trains were so crowded that passengers could no longer board.

The timing made the disruption particularly painful because this weekend is Zandvoort’s final Formula 1 event for the foreseeable future.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are sold out, with some weekend packages costing up to 850 euros.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali nevertheless struck an upbeat tone about the farewell.

"I feel great," the Italian told Viaplay.

"Normally you would come here after about 5.5 editions with a lot of sadness. No, you teach us to be positive."

"Let’s enjoy this moment because it’s the last time, although you should never say ’never’."

Former Dutch GP sporting director Jan Lammers says the decision to stop was ultimately financial rather than connected to Max Verstappen’s future.

"What Max is going to do in the future has no impact on this," he told Radio 538.

"We don’t have government support. So you have to sign your signature from private entrepreneurship and at your own risk."