The sale of tickets for the Dutch GP in Zandvoort has sparked a significant legal dispute. The Monaco-based Platinium Group, which sells international tickets for the race, accuses the Dutch GP organization of contract breach. According to Platinium, the Dutch GP has unjustly allowed Max Verstappen to sell tickets to foreign fans, which would be in violation of their exclusive rights.
Not All Tickets Sold
The Platinium Group was supposed to be responsible for the sale of 35,000 tickets abroad. However, this process encountered difficulties, and currently, there are still 8,500 tickets available. As a result, Platinium refuses to pay the final installment of a whopping 3.8 million euros. The Dutch GP, which relies significantly on ticket sales revenue, demands that Platinium adhere to the agreed terms. The event is expected to generate 60 percent of its revenue from ticket sales, highlighting the importance of this deal.
Accusations and Counter-Accusations
Marnix Leijten, the lawyer for Platinium Group, alleges that the Dutch GP has violated the exclusive rights granted to Platinium for international ticket sales. Leijten points out that other providers, such as Verstappen Travel and P1, are also selling tickets to foreign fans. Furthermore, Platinium is allegedly not allowed to offer cheaper tickets, which they argue is in violation of European regulations.
The Dutch GP vehemently denies these accusations, emphasizing that Verstappen Travel has only sold 590 tickets to foreign fans. Lawyer Merel Franke suggests that Platinium is looking for a way out of the agreement, partly due to the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal Battle
An attempt by the court to mediate a compromise between the two parties proved unsuccessful. Bruno Rodriguez, CEO of Platinium, has promised that his company will arrange a bank guarantee of three million euros to demonstrate its financial health. Rodriguez also stressed that his company is still willing to make arrangements for ticket sales in 2025.
Despite these assurances, the situation remains tense and both parties are awaiting the verdict of the court in The Hague. The verdict will be delivered no later than Thursday, August 22, just one day before the start of the Formula 1 in Zandvoort (times in UST).
