The Dutch Grand Prix is going out with a bang. With the 2026 edition confirmed as the last Formula 1 race at Circuit Zandvoort, the organisers have pulled together a pre-race show designed to make the farewell sting just a little bit more. Sentimentality, orange flags, and a full musical send-off. Fair enough, really.
Davina Michelle Returns for a Repeat Performance
The headline act for the national anthem is Davina Michelle, who will sing the Wilhelmus ahead of the race on Sunday, 23 August. She performed the same duty at the very first race of this era back in 2021, which makes her the only artist to have sung the Dutch national anthem at the Dutch GP twice. A neat bit of symmetry for the opening and closing chapters of Zandvoort’s modern F1 story.
The Full Pre-Race Show: All the Names
Beyond the anthem, the pre-race entertainment is shaping up to be a proper occasion. Emma Heesters, Yves Berendse, Floor Jansen and La Fuente are all confirmed to perform, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Royal Dutch Air Force. That is a significant step up from your average grid walk playlist.
Earlier announcements also confirmed that Kris Kross Amsterdam, Tino Martin and illusionist Hans Klok are involved in the weekend’s broader entertainment programme, alongside a large-scale flag display on the grandstands. The organisers are clearly determined to remind the F1 world what it is losing when the Dutch GP disappears from the calendar.
The Final Lap: Zandvoort’s Last Stand
The theme for this year’s event is The Final Lap, which does exactly what it says on the tin. After returning to the F1 schedule in 2021, the Netherlands is dropping off the calendar again. Sporting director Jan Lammers has been vocal about wanting this last edition to showcase the best of Dutch culture to an international audience. Whether that mission is accomplished or not, the racing itself should be compelling, with Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton locked in a championship battle that shows no sign of cooling. You can check our 2026 midseason report for the full title picture heading into the summer finale.
The Dutch GP race weekend runs from 21 to 23 August, with the grand prix itself scheduled for Sunday. Check the calendar for your local start time in UTC.
The Uncomfortable Truth
All the pyrotechnics and pop stars in the world cannot mask the fact that Zandvoort is losing its race. A circuit that delivered genuinely entertaining grands prix, packed with passionate fans and an atmosphere few venues can match, is being dropped. Enjoy the party. The hangover arrives on Monday morning.
