On Tuesday evening, the Zandvoort city council also approved Formula 1 teams to use the three-kilometer-long Noordvoort strip where seals and migratory birds reside for resting and breeding. Earlier the decision was put on the table in Noordwijk, after which a large majority voted for the plan. The decision is controversial, given that the strip is normally closed to the public.
An action by Extinction Rebellion, in which participants lay down in the council chamber for death, was to have no effect: the route is available. Zandvoort does have a number of requirements for the path. For example, the teams are only allowed to use two types of cars, whereby they are only allowed to drive in the electric position in order not to scare the animals. These are the Porsche Cayenne 4×4 Plug-in Hybrid and the fully electric Audi E-Tron 4×4, with the first having a fairly limited range on loose sand for this purpose of use. In addition, the route should always be checked before use, whereby the teams may cross the area up to twice a day in column form.
Red Bull and AlphaTauri cross Noordvoort in a painful period
The way back is only available in the evening after 6 pm, provided the beach is empty. Zandvoort believes that the beach path is only a fallback option: if the road or the approach route is not blocked, then the teams are obliged to take the normal 23-kilometer road to the circuit. It is difficult to say whether the use of electric vehicles will really do anything, but there is still a disturbance of the nature reserve below the line. The requirements seem stricter than those of the municipality of Noordwijk, whereby the impact on the nature area in particular must remain limited.
Migratory birds come from the north to rest in the specially cleared area, while the month of May is the breeding season for seals. During this time, the animals and their young are weak, nervous and quickly stressed. The last word has not yet been said about the issue, especially now that social media has made a fuss about measuring with two measures, and in addition that it is happening at a critical moment in the lives of animals. A petition has been signed almost 30,000 times at a rapid pace, and various parties are openly scrambling about the issue. More later. (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
Update 4.35 pm | Local residents plan to block Noordvoort beach itself
Local residents around Noordvoort beach have indicated to block the beach with their own hands if the Formula 1 teams do not change their mind.
In mid-February, local residents Daniël Siepman and Koen Zonneveld started a petition that has already been signed 30,000 times, reports the Telegraph. The reason that the gentlemen have undertaken this is clear.
‘Actually, nobody is supposed to come to this beach, we consciously circumvent this with my running club. Noordvoort was opened last year with a great deal of display as a reserve and we now hear the aldermen suddenly say that it is not a reserve. What nonsense, ‘says Zonneveld.
Access Formula 1 teams blocked?
If no action is taken, the local residents will draw up a blockade themselves: ‘And that will certainly succeed. I have already heard so many angry reactions to this decision. “
“It will also be a non-violent action,” concludes Zonneveld. How people intend to thwart the teams is not yet clear. What is clear is that they definitely want this to go peacefully.
Update II 5.30 pm (26/02) Not three, but two Formula 1 teams on Noordwijk beach
Not three, but two teams will use the ‘beach route’ between Noordwijk and Zandvoort during the Dutch Grand Prix. Initially there would be three teams, but the Municipality of Zandvoort has officially confirmed that only Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri will receive an exemption to drive on the beach.
Earlier reports reported that Mercedes also belongs to the teams that would have received an exemption, but that is not true. Inquire from GP fans at the municipality of Zandvoort, it appears that only the two Red Bull teams have applied for an exemption. According to the municipality, no other teams can use the route along the beach.
Update III 7.50 p.m. (28/02) Horner on the Zandvoort beach route: ‘Have no idea how we are going’
The boom around the alleged beach route from Noordwijk to Zandvoort is taking on ever larger forms. Various groups are committed to prohibiting this beach route. Christian Horner cannot resist discussing this plan with the press in Barcelona.
“At the moment we have no idea how we want to come to the circuit,” says Horner. ‘We know that the race will attract a lot of attention and that it will be busy in the area. Our plan is therefore to take measures so that we can ensure that all employees can come to the circuit in a safe manner. “
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