The organisers of the Dutch Grand Prix will stop hosting the race after this year because the financial risks are too great to continue. However, reports have revealed that €20 million windfall was paid out to shareholders.
In 2024, the organisers confirmed it would end the Dutch Grand Prix because the cost had become too great. To remain profitable, the event needed to be sold out for three consecutive days. If that didn’t happen, a budget shortfall would arise.
According to RTL Nieuws, hosting the Formula 1 race costs €70 million per year, and through 2024 it was profitable. As a result, there was a well-filled reserve fund to absorb potential losses. But by the end of 2024, there was ‘only’ €3.8 million left in that fund, with RTL suggesting the €20 million had been paid to shareholders and organisers of the GP.
‘Nothing unusual about dividend payout’
However, a spokesperson for the Dutch Grand Prix told RTL Z that this payment was not unusual. They said: “Regarding the entrepreneurial risk: the dividend payout, which was paid out for the first time, is negligible compared to the annual cost budget and the risks that the Dutch Grand Prix organisation takes on.”
When asked whether the €20 million in dividends wouldn’t have been a healthy financial buffer for the event, the response was: “The costs are there every year. The dividend covers all editions up to and including 2024.”
It is not clear whether dividends were also paid to shareholders for 2025.
However, a municipal council member in Zandvoort finds it odd that the Dutch Grand Prix is ending for financial reasons, particularly if there was actually enough money to absorb setbacks. He argues that this proves Zandvoort was right to introduce a ticket tax—something the organisation objected to on the grounds that it would make tickets too expensive.
The race has proved extremely popular over the past five years when it returned to the F1 calendar. It has been won by Max Verstappen five times and once each by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
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