In the series ‘Zandvoort & I’, prominent (ex-) drivers and Formula 1 personalities share their memories of the dune circuit in the run-up to the Dutch GP. This time, we hear from Jackie Stewart, who has a mix of fond and less pleasant memories of Zandvoort.
“Zandvoort evokes both cheerful and sad memories for me,” says three-time world champion Stewart. “Cheerful, because I always enjoyed racing there. The track design is simply beautiful, and the weather almost changed the track by the hour. When the wind picked up, it blew sand across the circuit, and the car was three or four seconds slower. If the wind came from a different direction, you could suddenly go a few seconds faster. I’ve won there a few times, and it was a fantastic feeling.”
Remembering Zandvoort: A Blend of Joy and Sorrow
“However,” continues Stewart, “Zandvoort also witnessed the tragic deaths of two of my best friends, which are the sad memories. Piers Courage was one of them, and the other was a young, talented driver: Roger Williamson. He died in 1973 following a tragic accident. In those days, they didn’t stop the race, we just kept driving. The rules were subpar, and the fire extinguishing equipment was inadequate. Thankfully, times have changed.”
The Trophy from Bernhard
“The Dutch GP was important for Formula 1 and also popular among drivers. There was always a large audience, and I believe a member of the royal family would always attend: wonderful. I recently found a photo of me and my wife on the podium in Zandvoort, receiving the trophy from the king (referring to Prince Bernhard). In those days, it was quite common for the wives to join us on the podium.”
“We also frequently visited Amsterdam: to eat, go to the movies, or for a sponsor event. I often had Elf sponsor dinners in Amsterdam, as the Netherlands was a big market for car manufacturers. I think everyone is looking forward to racing in Zandvoort.”
