Robert van Overdijk will continue to serve as the General Director of Circuit Zandvoort, as recently announced in a press release. In addition to his role, Van Overdijk has also become a co-owner of Circuit Zandvoort.
This announcement puts an end to the speculation about the future of the General Director. He was linked to various significant roles in the football world, including positions at Ajax, AZ, and Willem II. However, Van Overdijk, who was appointed as General Director in 2017, emphasizes that his future lies in Zandvoort.
“For me, the appreciation, the fact that I am now also a co-owner, and the ambitions are new stimuli. We have had a wonderful journey, but there is also a beautiful journey ahead of us,” Van Overdijk refers to the return and successful editions of the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix and future plans.
‘Reports were a wake-up call’
Bernhard van Oranje expresses his satisfaction that Van Overdijk, who has been the subject of much discussion in the media in recent weeks, will continue to play a significant role in Zandvoort. “On one hand, we as shareholders felt flattered by the reports, but on the other hand, it was also a wake-up call. We still have sky-high ambitions together and equally important, we want to continue doing this together. That’s why we are proud to have been able to bring Robert on board as a co-owner,” says Bernhard van Oranje.
With the highly acclaimed Dutch Grand Prix (F1 Promotor of the Year and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Award) as a catalyst, Circuit Zandvoort, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, has grown into a leading multifunctional event location. Renovations and new buildings have given the location a significant expansion of facilities. Not only were a new Dutch Grand Prix Lounge, Founders Lounge, and Champions Lounge built, but a new pit building has also been recently completed.
‘Want activity in Zandvoort all year round’
With the FIA’s desire to create more space in the pit lane, a new project was started. Not traditionally with a number of pit boxes, but fully in the spirit of smart use of facilities and buildings. An expansion of more than 1000 m2 over two floors was developed, with the Pitlane Lounge as a strong foundation. During the Grand Prix, the lower spaces of the Pitlane Lounge serve as pit boxes, but outside the races, the two-story jewel of a building is ideally suited as a conference space for the business market.
“We want to make Circuit Zandvoort the most fantastic business event location in the Netherlands for at least the next 75 years, where there is activity all year round,” says Van Overdijk. With the unique character of Circuit Zandvoort as one of the pillars. “Here, history is not just a memory, but is written every day.”
