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Ricciardo "torn" over hopes of exciting Zandvoort race in F1 2020

Renault's Daniel Ricciardo is "torn" over Formula 1's return to Zandvoort in 2020 because the "big balls" circuit is likely to be a "processional" race with little overtaking.

Formula 1 announced on Tuesday that Zandvoort would be on the 2020 calendar and changes to the circuit are expected.

Ricciardo has experience of Zandvoort, as he contested the F3 Masters race in 2008 and 2009 and has driven a Red Bull in demonstration runs at the circuit.

The Renault driver says his experience of Zandvoort suggests that the track will be exciting to drive, but lack passing opportunities.

 
"Full honesty here, the track to drive on is pretty awesome," said the Renault driver. "It's high speed, it's old school, big balls. From a driving point of view, it's fine.

"But how fast it is and how narrow some places are, I don't think it would be that exciting for overtaking - just my initial feeling.

"With the speeds we go now, following another car will be very difficult. That's my reservation with it. I think it'll be a very processional race, otherwise, the track's cool.

"I'm a bit torn. To drive on it'd be fun but to race - with the width of the cars now it's probably a bit like a street circuit through some places.

"It'll be tricky to make a really exciting race.

"I only drove a demonstration [in an F1 car], but I raced there in F3, and it keeps your eyes open. Big balls."

Nico Hulkenberg, who won the Masters event in 2008 and also competed at Zandvoort in A1 GP, shared his team-mate's concerns about overtaking.

"I loved Zandvoort in my junior times in F3, following [German Formula] BMW and A1," said Hulkenberg.

"Good memories of a cool track, a great location, and obviously Dutchies are always fired up and ready for a good party.

"Scheivlak was a corner where you had to be brave and ballsy, I'm sure that's going to be massively quick in F1, so it's going to be fun and interesting to see these cars there.

"But even in F3 [overtaking] was almost an impossible task. The track layout was not the most inviting for overtaking and racing, unfortunately."

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who won the Masters event in both 2009 and 2010, said he would enjoy the challenge of a track that punishes mistakes.

"It's a great circuit, an old school circuit that drivers love," said Bottas. "Making mistakes there in the high-speed section can be very penalising.

"We feel we are a bit more risking ourselves in that track, which is a nice feeling for a driver.

"I look forward to it. Even in F3 races, there was a lot of people, a lot of spectators, good atmosphere. I have good memories from there. It's going to be nice."

Zdroj: autosport.com