Trackday Zandvoort — Driving on the F1 racetrack

Trackday Zandvoort — Ride on the legendary F1 racetrack in the dunes

The steering wheel vibrates. The steep curve pushes you into the seat — 18 degrees, steeper than Indianapolis. In front of you: The notorious Tarzan Curve. Behind you: The sound of the North Sea coast. That's Trackday Zandvoort.

Circuit Zandvoort combines old-school character with F1 technology. If you have a Trackday with Porsche Search that sticks in your mind, leads your way through the dunes of the Dutch racetrack.

In this guide, you'll learn everything about track days at Circuit Zandvoort: Which corners challenge you, what makes the track unique, and how to experience your track day with ESC.

Circuit Zandvoort — An overview of the F1 racetrack

Why Zandvoort is so special

Circuit Zandvoort is one of the oldest racetracks in Europe. Opened in 1948, nestled directly into the dune landscape of the North Sea coast. Johannes “Hans” Hugenholtz designed the course — the same architect who later designed Suzuka.

Between 1948 and 1985, Formula One made a total of 34 visits to Zandvoort. Legends such as Jim Clark, Niki Lauda and Alain Prost made history here. Then came a 36-year break — until Max Verstappen brought Formula One back to the Netherlands in 2021.

[IMAGE 1: Circuit Zandvoort overview]

• filename: circuit-zandvoort-rennstrecke-luftaufnahme-duenen.jpg
• Midjourney prompt: Aerial View of Circuit Zandvoort Race Track, North Sea Dunes Landscape, Dutch Coast Visible, Dramatic Lighting, Professional Photography --ar 16:9 --v 6.1 --s 200
• Alt text: Circuit Zandvoort racetrack from the air — nestled in the dune landscape
• Caption: The Zandvoort racetrack: 4.3 km through the dunes of the North Sea.

The unique steep curves

For the Formula One comeback in 2021, two corners were converted into spectacular banking curves:

Hugenholtzbocht (curve 3): 19 degrees of inclination You can choose different lines — deep on the inside or on the outside of the bank. This steep curve enables overtaking manoeuvres that would be impossible on other routes.

Arie-Luyendijk curve (curve 14): 18-degree incline — steeper than the legendary corners in Indianapolis. Perfectly hit means maximum speed on the start/finish line.

→ Discover ESC Circuit Track Days 2026

Route layout — 4.3 km driving pleasure

Technical data of the racetrack

The most important curves

Tarzanbocht (curve 1): The most famous curve at Circuit Zandvoort. A 180-degree hairpin curve with a long journey — the best overtaking option on the route.

Gerlach (curve 2): Named after Wim Gerlach, who had an accident here in 1957. A left bend that leads to a sharper right turn.

Scheivlak (curve 9): A quick, blind left turn. The differences in altitude due to the dunes make them particularly challenging.

[IMAGE 2: Banking Steep Curve]

• filename: zandvoort-steilkurve-banking-hugenholtzbocht-trackday.jpg
• Midjourney prompt: Porsche 911 GT3 entering Zandvoort banking corner Hugenholtzbocht, dramatic angle showing 19 degree banking, track surface texture visible, professional motorsport photography --ar 16:9 --v 6.1 --s 200
• Alt text: Hugenholtzbocht steep curve at Circuit Zandvoort — 19 degrees banking on track day
• Caption: The Hugenholtzbocht: 19-degree banking allows different lines.

Track days at Circuit Zandvoort — How it works

Can you drive on the racetrack in Zandvoort?

Yes! Circuit Zandvoort regularly offers track days, where you can drive on the F1 track with your own vehicle or a rental vehicle.

Organizers for track days in Zandvoort:

• European Speed Club (ESC)
• GP Days
• Slope Club
• RSZ Autosport
• Race Planet

Important for your track day: An online briefing is mandatory — here you can find out the route rules and sign the liability waiver. Passengers must be at least 18 years of age.

The ESC trackday experience

An ESC Track Day at Circuit Zandvoort is not an anonymous event with 80 vehicles. We are limiting the number of participants for maximum track time.

What ESC offers:

• Professional instructors with motorsport history
• Casco-insured vehicles with CarForGo
• Coaching for all levels — from beginners to experts
• All-round carefree package with food

Next ESC date: June 30, 2025

→ Book Trackday Zandvoort with ESC

[IMAGE 3: ESC Paddock]

• filename: esc-track-day-circuit-zandvoort-paddock-porsche.jpg
• Midjourney prompt: Premium trackday paddock scene at Circuit Zandvoort, Porsche GT3 cars lined up, professional team atmosphere, North Sea Dunes visible, golden hour lighting --ar 16:9 --v 6.1 --s 200
• Alt text: ESC Track Day at Circuit Zandvoort — paddock atmosphere with Porsche cars
• Caption: In the ESC Paddock: Professional support among like-minded people.

Visit Zandvoort racetrack

Is it possible to visit the Zandvoort racetrack?

Circuit Zandvoort is open almost daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. When there are no events taking place, you can visit the main stand and the indoor area.

Tips for your visit:

• Parking lot A is often free when there is no event
• Bernie's Bar & Kitchen offers coffee with a view of the route
• The racetrack is only a few minutes away from Zandvoort city centre
• You can rent F1 pit boxes for track days

Which races take place in Zandvoort?

Circuit Zandvoort is the venue for numerous racing events:

• Formula 1 — Dutch Grand Prix
• DTM — German Touring Car Championship
• Historic Grand Prix — annual event with classic Formula 1 racing cars
• WTCC — World Touring Car Championship

Tips for your first track day in Zandvoort

Vehicle and setup

The dune landscape with its differences in altitude requires a balanced setup. The omnipresent sand on the North Sea coast can make the route slippery.

recommendations:

• Chassis: Medium setting — the bumps are merciless
• tire pressure: Start a bit higher — sand increases temperatures faster
• brake pads: For longer sessions, we recommend trackday pads

Observe noise limits

The Zandvoort racetrack is located in a residential area. Noise limits: 88—92 dB (A), depending on the event A standard Porsche GT3 is generally unproblematic. For modified vehicles: plan for silencers.

[IMAGE 4: GT3 at Tarzan bend]

• filename: porsche-gt3-circuit-zandvoort-tarzan-kurve-track-day.jpg
• Midjourney prompt: Porsche 911 GT3 RS entering Tarzan hairpin at Circuit Zandvoort, dramatic braking zone, tire smoke, professional motorsport photography, motion blur --ar 16:9 --v 6.1 --s 200
• Alt text: Porsche GT3 in the Tarzan corner on track day at Circuit Zandvoort
• Caption: The Tarzan hairpin curve — precise braking is a must here.

[CTA IMAGE]

• filename: esc-trackday-circuit-zandvoort-sonnenuntergang-nordsee.jpg
• Midjourney prompt: Silhouette of Porsche 911 GT3 parked at Circuit Zandvoort with sunset over North Sea Dunes, cinematic lighting, premium motorsport lifestyle --ar 16:9 --v 6.1 --s 200
• Alt text: ESC Trackday Circuit Zandvoort — Porsche GT3 at sunset over the dunes
• Caption: After track day: The North Sea atmosphere makes Zandvoort unforgettable.

Your next step

The steep curves are waiting. The dunes are calling. And the Tarzan Curve needs to be mastered.

At ESC Trackday at Circuit Zandvoort, you will experience one of the most legendary racetracks in Europe — with professional coaching and comprehensive insurance vehicles.

→ Discover ESC Track Days 2025

→ Trackday as a gift — ESC vouchers

Questions? Contact us directly — we will advise you personally.

→ What our participants say