In 2025, Martin Brundle will be working as a commentator for Sky Sports during the Dutch GP in Zandvoort. However, forty years ago, in 1985, he was there as a driver. He reflects on then and now, memories on and off the track, and his impending retirement.
You drove on the old Zandvoort track during your F1 career. What do you remember about it?
“Driving in Zandvoort was always fun, a beautiful circuit in the dunes. It was a longer track than it is now, with more flow and of course the Tarzan corner. Exciting, a real challenge. The scary thing about that circuit was that it could be dangerous in places. But that was the case everywhere at that time if you went off the track.”
And memories off the track?
“Then I think of traffic. As in: getting into Zandvoort and leaving again via that road along the beach. They have that wonderfully sorted out these days. There were also, just like now, always many fans. And we, as drivers, could of course enjoy the surroundings after the sessions.”
How do you view the layout of the current Zandvoort circuit?
“I have never driven on the new circuit, but when I look at the layout, I see that the important corners still exist. The ‘banking’ in some corners is also special. But yes, they once had to shorten parts of the track in Zandvoort. That’s a shame. Roughly speaking, as a driver, you now need less courage to drive there than before.”
