Circuit Zandvoort has taken action against unwanted behavior in the run-up to the Dutch Grand Prix. In addition to the hotline, there will also be confidential GGD advisors that people who feel insecure can report to.
“Safety is very important to us,” says circuit director Robert van Overdijk in the run-up to next Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix. “It is a family event where men, women and children should feel comfortable.”
In the past year, social media and the organization have received several reports of women being harassed. In the end, two police reports were filed. The police investigated the reports, but this did not result in any suspects or arrests.
Visitors who are being harassed on the circuit next weekend can address the Grand Prix staff on site. In the event that there is no employee in the area, people can send an SMS to the number 7171, after which the report will be dealt with immediately.
In cooperation with GGD, many Secret Advisers are also available between August 24th and September 8th. Visitors can report behavior that is unwanted to them.
This can be done over the phone, but also on the track during the public race weekend. A support center has been set up there where two confidential advisors are present every day. In addition to confidential advisors and a hotline, contact with the police will become “more direct”, the department said.
The organization repeats that luminous flames are not allowed
Although the Dutch Grand Prix hasn’t seen any major incidents over the past two years, last season’s qualifying had to be briefly interrupted. It was because the torch had been thrown onto the path.
Torches were also prohibited at the time. However, the organization stresses that they are not allowed this year either, and that they are strictly monitored.
Drivers are also required to leave flares at home, mainly due to their physical disability. “The vision is very bad, but the smell is also very bad,” Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo driver, told NU.nl.
“It’s a short circuit, less than 5km. If a torch lights up on one side of the track, you can smell it on the other side of the track. I understand it’s strictly forbidden this year, so it should be okay.”
“Make it nice to each other”
A torchbearer was stopped by fans around him last year and handed over to security. Also in the run-up to this year’s Grand Prix, sporting director Jan Lammers is appealing to the public’s common sense.
“We’re asking everyone to act and be aware,” Lammers says. “If you love sports, contribute something to the event and make sure you make it fun for each other. We appeal to that.”
The first free time trial for the Dutch Grand Prix starts on Friday at 12.30pm. The qualifiers will be held on Saturday at 3:00 pm, and the race is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the same time.
