Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 5, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen ahead of the grand prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Max Verstappen said he felt a mixture of sadness and pride at the Dutch Grand Prix's disappearance from the Formula One calendar after 2026.
Red Bull's quadruple world champion has won all but one of his home races at Zandvoort since the circuit in the coastal dunes returned in 2021 and became a party venue for his orange army of fans.
"It's of course something that I'm sad about that it's not going to continue. But on the other hand, also, I'm very proud of what they have done," Verstappen told reporters at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
"When I started in Formula One, I would have never imagined that we would go back to Zandvoort. And the races that we've had there, the event that they put on, I have a lot of respect for that. And I'm proud that I played a part in that as well.
"And seeing all the fans there was and is, of course, amazing."
Formula One announced a one-year extension on Wednesday for 2026, when the race will be held in the sprint format for the first time.
"I'm really looking forward to the final two years," said Verstappen.
"They say they're going to go out with a bang. So I'm also very excited to see that."
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)
